New head coach Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone gave Van Lanen a three-year, $51 million deal to be the left tackle, signaling that he is the preferred option at the position. With that, keeping Little as a high-cost backup doesn’t seem viable, making a path forward for him a focal point of the team’s offseason plans.
The Jaguars’ options for Little include moving him to guard, where he filled in late in the season when Patrick Mekari was injured, or pursuing a trade that could reshape the offensive line’s future. Little’s versatility gives Jacksonville flexibility, but a shift to guard would require fit and competition with Mekari on the interior.
Trading Little is another route, though it comes with financial considerations. A potential deal would entail roughly $7.2 million in dead money but would save about $7.25 million in cap space, signaling to potential suitors that Little isn’t viewed as a long-term left tackle starter. Such a move, however, could also be read as a clear sign of reduced confidence in his role.
Little’s career arc reinforces why this decision matters. A three-year starter at Stanford, he was a top draft pick (45th overall in 2021) who spent two seasons as a rotation player before becoming a regular starter by 2023. By 2025, he had settled in as a foundational blocker, starting 14 of 15 games before the season’s end.
Given the emerging prominence of Van Lanen and the financial realities of Little’s contract, the Jaguars are likely to retain Little for 2026 in some capacity. Whether he starts at guard, serves as a swing tackle, or competes for a different role, his experience and versatility should keep him in the mix as Jacksonville aims to sustain its championship trajectory.
