The Jacksonville Jaguars pulled off their most significant win of the season, staging an incredible comeback to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in a primetime Week 5 matchup. After a slow start that suggested a potential blowout by the Chiefs, quarterback Trevor Lawrence led the Jaguars back for a thrilling victory.
A major storyline from the game was the jaw-dropping performance of second overall pick Travis Hunter. He showcased his rare two-way talent by playing 39 snaps on defense while recording 64 receiving yards on offense. In a testament to his impact, PFF graded Hunter as one of the top-five players on both sides of the ball for the team, according to their analysis.
However, a comment made during the broadcast quickly overshadowed the on-field action. During the “Manningcast,” Eli Manning mentioned that Jaguars head coach Liam Coen had told him Hunter didn’t practice on offense during his time with the Colorado Buffaloes. That claim quickly sparked a response from the Sanders family.
Why Did a Coach’s Comment Spark a “Lie” Accusation?
After Omaha Productions posted a clip of Manning’s comment to social media, Deion Sanders Jr. publicly refuted the claim. Responding directly to the post, he wrote, “Don’t let them lie to you Mr. Manning, he practiced Wr & DB equally.”
Don’t let them lie to you Mr Manning, he practiced Wr & DB equally. https://t.co/QjwvpnI9S8
— Deion Sanders Jr (@DeionSandersJr) October 7, 2025
Additionally, Deion Sanders himself called out the lie in a press conference following the game, saying simply, “That was a lie.”
Coach Prime response to Eli Manning saying he was told Travis Hunter only played defense at Colorado:
“That was a lie.” pic.twitter.com/9JgcPMBei4
— GUCCE🦬🐦⬛ (@gucceCU) October 7, 2025
While Manning only reported what he had been told, the original statement was puzzling. It’s unusual for a team’s top receiver not to practice on offense. During his two seasons at Colorado, Hunter was one of the most productive offensive players in college football, accumulating over 1,600 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns.
The public pushback prompted Coen to walk back his initial statement. In a later appearance, he clarified that Hunter did practice on offense, just not as much as he practiced on defense.
“Travis Hunter practiced on offense at Colorado but it just wasn’t as much as he did on defense..
He’s getting better and better and we’re excited for what’s in store” ~ @LiamCoen #PMSLive https://t.co/0Cfv0b0671 pic.twitter.com/bMRP5a41wR
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) October 7, 2025
Although Coen corrected his comment, it was still a notable error, as it seemed to discredit the immense amount of work Hunter, the franchise’s future, put in on both sides of the ball for Colorado.
What Does Travis Hunter’s Workload Mean for the Jaguars?
Hunter’s dedication at the college level was genuinely remarkable. In his two seasons with the Buffaloes, he played a staggering 2,625 snaps at an incredibly high level. That figure led the entire FBS for the 2023 and 2024 seasons, highlighting what makes him such a unique player.
Now in the NFL, Hunter is already making a significant impact. He has helped lead the Jaguars to the 14th-ranked offense, according to PFSN’s Offensive Impact grade.
Despite their 4-1 record, this ranking suggests room for improvement for the Jacksonville offense. As Hunter continues to settle into his new role, the unit appears to be getting even stronger.
