Coen defends Hunter’s role after a quiet offensive start

Liam Coen defended Jacksonville’s use of Travis Hunter on Friday, saying the second-year cornerback and receiver shares the team’s focus on winning. The comments came as the Jaguars prepared to visit Cincinnati with Hunter playing regularly on defense and receiving limited offensive work.

“He cares about winning,” Coen said, according to the Associated Press. “We care about winning, and that’s it.” Ari Meirov’s Friday-night post carries a clip of the coach addressing Hunter’s usage and draft value.

The workload has been uneven across Hunter’s two positions. Jacksonville’s September 24 report recorded 10 offensive snaps through the first two games, with one reception for eight yards against Cleveland in Week 1. Six of those snaps came in the Week 2 loss at Denver. The team described a cornerback rotation involving Hunter, Jarrian Jones and Montaric Brown.

Hunter’s defensive production has continued through three games. His official team profile lists three starts, nine tackles, two passes defensed and one interception this season. That interception came against New England last Sunday, the first of his NFL career, in Jacksonville’s win.

The offensive comparison with his rookie season is substantial. Hunter caught 28 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown in seven games in 2025, according to his team biography. AP’s Friday reporting described his present offensive use as limited while Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington hold prominent receiver roles.

Jacksonville selected Hunter second overall in 2025 and still lists him at both receiver and cornerback. The Jaguars and Bengals enter Sunday’s game at 2–1, with kickoff scheduled for 1 p.m. Eastern in Cincinnati.