Travis Hunter: The Controversial Two-Way Phenomenon in the NFL – Are We Witnessing History or Just Hype?

In the ever-evolving landscape of professional football, Travis Hunter’s unique role with the Jacksonville Jaguars has sparked a heated debate: can a player realistically excel as a two-way starter in today’s NFL?

Following Hunter’s recent performances, particularly in Week 5, the conversation intensified when Pro Football Focus (PFF) and various media outlets claimed that he made history by starting on both offense and defense.

However, a closer examination reveals a more nuanced picture.

The Rise of Travis Hunter

Travis Hunter was the No.

2 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, entering the league with a remarkable background.

During his college career, he shone as a two-way player, making significant contributions as both a cornerback and a wide receiver.

Since joining the Jaguars, Hunter has been utilized in various offensive and defensive packages, a strategy that the coaching staff openly discussed during training camp and early-season practices.

The excitement surrounding Hunter reached a peak during a Monday Night Football game in Week 5, where he was officially listed as a starter on both sides of the ball.

This prompted PFF to proclaim that “Travis Hunter made PFF history” as the first player to start on both offense and defense during a regular-season game within PFF’s recorded history.

The game-day documentation reflected Hunter’s significant involvement as a receiver while also showcasing his skills as a cornerback.

The Claim Under Scrutiny

While the assertion that Hunter made history is compelling, it requires important qualifiers.

PFF’s historical grading and play-charting began in the mid-2000s, with their first complete season dataset dating back to approximately 2006.

Thus, when PFF states that Hunter is the first to start on both sides in their database era, it is not the same as claiming he is the first in the entirety of NFL history.

Context is crucial here.

Two-way players were relatively common in the early years of the NFL, especially during the single-platoon era that lasted until the 1960s.

Many players participated on both sides of the ball regularly, but this practice has become exceedingly rare since then.

Although a few modern players have seen snaps on both offense and defense, starting at both positions in a single game is a rarity in the post-1960s NFL.

The Significance of Hunter’s Role

Even if the claim of being the “first ever” is too broad, Hunter’s role in the Jaguars’ offense and defense is significant for modern football.

The Jaguars are not merely using him for trick plays; they have designed substantial packages that rely on his dual contributions.

This strategy challenges the long-standing notion that specialization is paramount in today’s NFL.

Snap-count breakdowns from the early season indicate that Hunter has logged a considerable percentage of both offensive and defensive snaps in multiple games.

His dual role has already generated interest among analysts, with PFF tracking his split grades for both sides of the ball closely.

What Lies Ahead for Travis Hunter

Looking forward, if Hunter continues to be designated as a starter on both sides and maintains consistent snap counts, the “historic” label will gain more credibility—at least within the modern analytics era defined by PFF.

However, analysts and historians will likely continue to differentiate between PFF-era milestones and all-time NFL achievements.

For now, the most accurate framing of Hunter’s Week 5 performance is that it represents one of the most significant modern examples of a true two-way role in the NFL.

It marks a notable first within PFF’s tracking era, which is an intriguing development that could influence how teams view elite, versatile athletes.

Conclusion: A New Chapter in NFL History?

In summary, Travis Hunter’s Week 5 performance was indeed rare and headline-worthy, and PFF’s assertion that he “made history” is understandable within the confines of their tracked era.

However, this claim should not be interpreted as definitive proof that no player in NFL history has ever started on both offense and defense in a regular-season game.

The early decades of the NFL featured numerous two-way starters, and isolated examples exist even in modern times.

What is truly groundbreaking is the Jaguars’ intentional and repeatable plan to utilize a high-profile rookie as a genuine contributor on both sides during critical snaps in regular-season action.

This innovative approach could reshape how teams think about player versatility and the potential for two-way athletes in the modern NFL.

As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Travis Hunter to see if he can continue to defy expectations and perhaps carve out a new niche in the league’s history.