Can the Jacksonville Jaguars stop the national narrative of 2020?

Can the Jacksonville Jaguars erase the pundits’ belief there will be a new quarterback in this town in 2021, pushing Gardner Minshew aside?

No matter how much things change, they always seem to remain the same with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

And the more this team continues on a losing path, which has happened for the past two seasons, the national media is going to continue to bash this team here in North Florida and leave it for dead, long before the 2020 season gets underway.

For the first time in my career, I am actually citing Motley Crue for giving me the inspiration to write this editorial as it continues to be the “Same Old Situation.”

As a fan of the black and teal, I’m growing tired of it.

ESPN.com’s Todd McShay in his most recent Mock Draft (by subscription only) has the Jaguars earning the first pick and selecting Trevor Lawrence of Clemson to challenge or beat out Gardner Minshew for the starring role on this roster.

News Flash… The season hasn’t started yet. All mock drafts should be outlawed until Week 8 of the NFL season. Furthermore, the assumption is the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to stink up the joint because of Minshew playing under center when in reality, there are several ways this season could play out.

Minshew could have a solid season, but injuries overcome the team as in 2018. Minshew could get injured and the team could have issues with continuity. Or, with a glass-half-full approach to the season, the Jaguars are better than everyone thought. It wouldn’t shock me if Jacksonville won seven games this year because the offense is better, the team has a better offensive coordinator in Jay Gruden and the weapons in the receiving game are underrated.

And what if the Minshew becomes the next dude who is now in Tampa Bay and the Jaguars make the playoffs?

Can we all just wait and see what happens?

When Minshew met with the media on Wednesday he was specific to point out there is a change in this team, one that should help the growth and development of the organization.

"“There’s a group of guys on this team, a group of leaders, that have a very real opportunity to change the culture here, to develop a winning culture and I think it’s already started,” he said. “The guys are very excited to get on the field, whether it’s even just for practice right now. So, I’m glad to be here, super grateful for the opportunity and hoping to make the most of it.”"

More from Black and Teal

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• Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hopes HC Doug Pederson has trust in him

That’s what this team needs. That’s what this franchise has been looking for. And that is exactly why no one should count this football team out. Looking from the situation on paper or film, it’s easy to form an opinion. Watching it happen in real-time is another kind of beast.

Just like thousands of fans here in Jacksonville, I’m passionate about this football team. It’s hard not to get caught up in the mania of Minshew and the young talent. I liken it to the same kind of passion my father felt when he bought season tickets for the first time in 1995 and was a multi-year season ticket holder.

It’s not hard to see what the front office is trying to build, with a new regime and a new outlook. It is hard to get excited when national media types tear the team down without watching them play this season. I understand until winning becomes habitual, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be a version of the Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

But for the sake of everything being equal, let’s give them a chance first before deciding who will be the quarterback of this team in 2021?