The new era of Jacksonville Jaguars football starts now

The Jacksonville Jaguars are about to embark on a new era of football with the signing of Nick Foles as the team’s new franchise quarterback.

If this was a baseball game, then Nick Foles hit one right out of the park. The Jacksonville Jaguars newest quarterback said all the right things on Thursday from TIAA Bank Field. For a team looking for a spark and a reason to get excited after a 5-11 season in 2018, the former Philadelphia Eagles icon gave us all a reason for hope.

"“I’m really excited to be here. My heart is pounding in my chest just to be a part of Jacksonville and this community … First off, I want to thank Shad Khan and the Khan family for allowing me to be a part of this family, be a part of the Jaguars family. I want to thank [General Manager] Dave Caldwell, [EVP of Football Operations] Coach [Tom] Coughlin, [Head] Coach [Doug] Marrone, [Special Assistant to the GM] John Idzik for just working this last week to make this happen and just believing in me,” Foles said when he met with the media for the first time.More from Jacksonville Jaguars NewsJacksonville Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun contract restructure paves the way for other movesJacksonville Jaguars not a realistic trade parter for Jalen Ramsey (past history aside)Jaguars News: Jalen Ramsey is available once again3 best landing spots for Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram if he hits free agency in 2023Jacksonville Jaguars keep QB room together, re-sign CJ Beathard“The thing that I’m most excited about honestly is just getting to know my teammates. Being in the locker room, getting to know their personalities. That is why I play this game, to step in the huddle and play with the guys that I love, brothers. Those are the guys that I lean on. That’s what makes a great team, that’s what makes a great organization – that brotherhood.”"

It’s hard to look at a player who is 30- years-old and call him a savior of a franchise, but Foles will forever be known as the man who delivered a Super Bowl championship to the City of Brotherly Love. Fans here in Jacksonville hope that by the team bringing him in to replace the enigmatic play of Blake Bortles, they too will at some point enjoy owning a Lombardi Trophy in their own backyard.

It wasn’t just what Foles said to the media and the Jaguars employees on hand at his press conference, it was how he said it. Calm, confident, humble and all the while knowing that this is a new start – just for him, but for an organization that two years ago was less than 10 minutes away from playing in Super Bowl 52, the one the new signal caller engineered a victory over the New England Patriots.

This organization pushed all the right buttons on Thursday.

Coughlin was succint in his prepared statement to open the festivities, outlining why the team made the decision to go after Foles in the first place. Having won a Super Bowl and how he made his teammates better was just one of the reasons for the move.

"“This is a new day, and we charge ahead. This signing today signals change and a new start for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Coughlin said in a prepared statement. “I am proud to introduce Nick and Tori Foles to you and the Jacksonville community today. Nick is the right person, the right quarterback for our team and our community.”"

The Jaguars 2018 was a disaster, leading team owner Shad Khan to offer a statement of confidence for Coughlin, Caldwell and Marrone after the 20-3 loss to Houston in the season finale. There must be improvement from this moment on from this trio. Signing Foles and finding puzzle pieces to fit around him is crucial to a successful year.

"“Adding Nick to our roster has made our team better. Everything we do going forward will be with the intent of improving our team and preparing for the 2019 season,” Coughlin added. “With singleness of purpose and with the concept of team above self, our goal is to bring a Super Bowl Championship here to Jacksonville.”"

It’s not an outlandish request. Given the state of the defense, a healthy Leonard Fournette returning to the team this season and a chance to add depth and playmakers in free agency in the NFL Draft. The Jaguars believe they are closer to returning to the glory of 2017 than some might give them credit.