The Jacksonville Jaguars came out of their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the preseason with a loss. The good news is that the undesirable outcome doesn't count in the standings. Moreover, there were plenty of things to like, including a jaw-dropping play that would've shattered an NFL record if it had been in the regular season.
On the other hand, the Jags will need to work on execution, as penalties and drops plagued them throughout the game. Still, there were a handful of intriguing performances, along with a couple duds. With that in mind, here are three winners and two losers from the 31-25 loss to the Steelers in the opener.
Related: Travis Hunter makes history with preseason debut with the Jaguars
Jaguars winners and losers from the loss to the Steelers
Jaguars winner: Cam Little
Sophomore Cam Little was the talk of the town after the game, and rightly so. It's not often that you see a kicker attempt a field goal of 60+, let alone nail it.
CAM LITTLE 70-YARD FIELD GOAL
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/OCIZ1W5M5f
— NFL (@NFL) August 10, 2025
What was more impressive about Little's 70-yard field goal was that it would have broken the current record by four yards if it had been in the regular season.
NFL record, by the way, is 66 yards by Baltimore's Justin Tucker on Sept. 26, 2021 of the Baltimore Ravens in Detroit. https://t.co/qxqY7GUAGs
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) August 10, 2025
Not surprisingly, Little told the local media that he's keeping the ball that he used for the kick. "Canton can get another one," the Moore, Oklahoma native said, via Jamal St. Cyr of News4Jax.
Jaguars loser: First-team defense
The Jaguars first-team defense looked dreadful on the opening drive and didn't improve in the following one. The unit ended up a 10-play, 67-yard drive that tight end Darnell Washington capped with a 19-yard receiving touchdown to put the Steelers ahead 7-3.
The good news is that defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile has a bit of time to fix his unit's miscues, but the early results most definitely left a bit to be desired.
Jaguars winner: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence
Can you really call Trevor Lawrence a winner after playing just one drive? You bet, he went 6-of-7 for 43 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. However, he looked comfortable, completing passes to Parker Washington, Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, and Brenton Strange.
The fact that Lawrence appeared to be in control of Liam Coen's system after spending the offseason recovering from a shoulder injury and fixing his footwork is a step in the right direction.
Jaguars loser: Tight end Hunter Long
Johnny Mundt didn't suit up for the preseason opener, so fellow tight end Hunter Long got extended playing time once Brenton Strange left the field. The issue is that he wasn't able to take advantage of his opportunities, dropping a pass that would've gone for a long gain.
The good news is that Long doesn't appear to be on the fringe. Still, the drop stings.
Jaguars winner: Defensive end Danny Striggow
An undrafted free agent, rookie Danny Striggow could turn out to be a hidden gem. Against the Steelers, he got ample time on special teams. On top of that, the former Minnesota Gopher had a sack and got playing time ahead of sophomore Myles Cole. That's a positive sign.
Striggow still has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but he most definitely gave his stock a boot in the preseason opener.
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