Trevor Lawrence gives Jaguars big reason to be optimistic in 2021

After years of futility and winning just one game in 2020, the Jacksonville Jaguars underwent a makeover this offseason. They made significant changes to the coaching staff and the front office. They also made several key additions to the roster, the most important one being quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report recently wrote about every NFL team’s biggest reasons for optimism and believes that Lawrence is the biggest one in Jacksonville. He points out that the Jaguars lost 15 consecutive games last season and haven’t had stability at head coach. Nevertheless, Knox thinks the Clemson product can help the Jags turn things around as early as this season.

Knox notes that Lawrence was once of the most gifted quarterbacks since his freshman year, winning the CFP National Championship in his first year in college and leading the Tigers to the playoffs in three consecutive years. Knox later cites Nate Tice of Bleacher Report’s scouting department, who believes he has what it takes to be a franchise quarterback in Jacksonville.

"Overall, Lawrence is living up to the hype he received as the top high school quarterback in the country and looks like a Week 1 franchise quarterback with the upside to win multiple MVPs and only injuries or an incompetent franchise will put him on a path toward failure."

Trevor Lawrence is already making an impact in Jacksonville.

There was no suspense behind the Jaguars’ decision to make Trevor Lawrence the top pick in this year’s draft. After all, head coach Urban Meyer said that was the direction the team was leaning towards. Moreover, the 2020 ACC Player of the Year was the best prospect in a class that featured players such as quarterback Zach Wilson and offensive tackle Penei Sewell.

Lawrence has generated a lot of excitement in Jacksonville despite the fact that he hasn’t taken a snap yet. He already signed endorsement deals with Adidas, Bose, Gatorade, and Blockfolio and was recently ranked ahead of several veteran quarterbacks. Even before he was drafted, he was shown effusive support by fans and analysts talked about him as if he were already part of the Jaguars organization.

Lawrence has the potential to be the best quarterback in franchise history. Mark Brunell certainly had his moments and helped the team reach two AFC Championship games. David Garrard was serviceable and Blake Bortles was a fantasy football darling in the 2010s. However, none of these quarterbacks were as talented as Lawrence coming out of college.

Lawrence gives the Jaguars the best chance to win right away. Even though the team hasn’t been named the starter yet, it is just a matter of time before they do. If he plays up to his potential, the Jaguars won’t have to worry about the quarterback position for a long time.