I have been worn down. Y'all have won (for now). Since every team is undefeated right now, there's no reason to be so skeptical all the time. After all, we have division rivals praising one of the Jacksonville Jaguars' best offensive linemen, linebackers stepping up to replace All-Pro defenders, and blocking tight ends showing potential as capable receivers during their first few practices in the league.
However, the biggest reason for Jags fans like me to pump up the optimism is Trevor Lawrence's recent command of the playbook during OTAs. Apparently, the sixth-year signal caller's making major strides as he enters his second season within the widely-hyped Liam Coen offense. According to John Shipley of Sports Illustrated, T-Law's performance during the second week of organized activities was actually a major bright spot.
From Shipley's perspective, Jacksonville's franchise QB has looked so good because he's finally had time to get comfortable in Coen's system.
"Lawrence was in the thick of things learning Coen's scheme at this time last year, and the difference has already been clear in comparison [this offseason]." Shipley wrote. "It is not hard to see that he looks as [in] command with the passing game as ever in terms of how he is spreading the ball around."
During this time of year, it's hard to verify Lawrence's supposed development for ourselves. But Shipley's been around the block enough times to know whether the Jaguars offense is looking rough or not. This means we can rely on his analysis and start thinking about what's on the horizon if The Prince Who Was Promised finally takes his throne in 2026.
Could an All-Pro selection be in Trevor Lawrence's future after the Jaguars' 2026 campaign?
Well, if Trevor Lawrence can perform well, protect the football, and win more games than he loses during the various gauntlets his squad will have to endure this season, then the answer is yes. It doesn't happen often, but the Associated Press and other national outlets have voted Jaguars players to All-Pro teams in the past.
Most recently, Devin Lloyd was given a second-team All-Pro nomination by the AP and a first-team All-Pro nod after the first quarter of the season by Pro Football Focus. Despite having a lackluster start to his career, his only season in Anthony Campanile's defense gave him the tools he needed to become one of the best pass coverage-focused linebackers in the NFL. So, if anything, he's one of the best cases a Jags fan can point to when saying it's possible for Lawrence to earn his own postseason awards this year.
However, it should be noted that accolades like the All-Pro team only have two spots available across the entire NFL. In extreme cases, three at the most.
In the AFC, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes could be penciled in by any publication and no one would complain. Drake Maye's rise last year shows that he could be leading a second tier of quarterbacks in the conference that includes Joe Burrow and Justin Herbert.
The NFC's no slouch, either, as the Los Angeles Rams are geared up to give Matthew Stafford the best last hurrah the league has ever seen. As the best quarterback in the biggest market on the West Coast, all eyes will be on Stafford as he leads LA to regular-season success and, possibly, another championship celebration in the team's home stadium.
So, off the top of my head, I just named seven quarterbacks who could be named to the All-Pro team because of their prior success or current expectations. Lawrence's position could be the hardest place on the squad to earn a spot, as the second-team All-Pro QB is usually the one who lost out on MVP.
Ironically enough, a few great games down the stretch gave the national media the evidence they needed to make the first No. 1-overall pick in Jaguars history a top-five MVP vote-getter. As you all may know, the Jaguars have never had an NFL MVP, so the fact that Lawrence got that close without a complete body of work is astonishing.
So, will he or won't he?
I know it seems like I'm waffling around with my take, but we're truly in uncharted territory here. The NFL has never been as dedicated to the pass from top to bottom as it is now, and every offensive-minded head coach and wunderkind offensive coordinator is grinding the tape to figure out how they can make their quarterbacks better.
In a world where Liam Coen was hired instead of Urban Meyer, Lawrence would probably have led Jacksonville to a Super Bowl by now. Unfortunately, we can only live in the timeline we're given. That being said, it isn't a bad one, as John Shipley also wrote that, "Lawrence has been at his best when he operates like a gunslinger who creates for himself, and he clearly has taken that part of his game under serious consideration. It is an important one for Lawrence to take and, so far, it looks like he is taking it."
When I think of gunslingers at the NFL level, the first name that comes to mind is Brett Favre. Keeping things strictly on the field (please), I don't think any Jaguars fan (or executive) would complain if the franchise's current QB walked away with a Lombardi trophy, three MVP awards, and three first-team All-Pro selections.
Yeah, the interceptions and fumbles poured out of Favre's hands like rain out of the sky during a category five hurricane, but there was a ton of success on an individual and team level as well during his tenure as a Green Bay Packer.
So, while it's still early, I think Lawrence's chances of earning a postseason award or two will be based on his ability to harness the best of his gunslinging play style. If the touchdowns and yards are more beneficial than the inevitable picks and fumbles, then Jacksonville could have its first All-Pro QB ever. After 30-plus years as an NFL franchise, it's safe to say that'd be pretty cool.
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