Is 2022 the year Jacksonville makes the leap?
It must be difficult being a fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With just four wins in the last two years, there has not been much to shout about as a football supporter in North Florida.
The organisation has been riddled with problems for a while.
But with an experienced head coach now at the helm along with an array of new personnel on their roster, can the Jaguars improve in 2022?
New coach, fresh start
Let’s not beat around the bush here. The Jaguars were dreadful in 2021.
Infact, aside from an anomaly in 2017 when they made it to the AFC Championship Game, the Jaguars have had losing seasons in ten of their last 11 years.
There have been plenty of issues surrounding their front office for some time. But bringing Doug Pederson in as their new head coach is a step in the right direction.
He will revitalise the damaged culture following the turbulent Urban Meyer era.
Pederson’s a good leader, a Super Bowl champion. He has got the best out of QBs he’s worked with, notably Carson Wentz and Nick Foles.
Pederson will be out with a point to prove, but he can’t be worse than Jacksonville’s last appointment.
When you consider the talent he has in Trevor Lawrence, a prospect who has skills that dwarf those of Wentz and Foles, the Jags and Pederson should be well primed for success.
Pederson will have to work hard to form a solid relationship with general manager Trent Baalke and owner Shadid Khan, who both came under fire in 2021.
But if those issues can sort themselves out, the only way is up for the Jags.
Signings galore
With a real sense of urgency, Jacksonville have embarked on a shopping spree right from the off in free agency.
In March, the Jaguars reset the wide receiver market by signing Christian Kirk to a huge four-year deal which could be worth as much as $84m.
Kirk, generally a third choice for the Arizona Cardinals, has never achieved a 1,000 receiving yard season.
But all of a sudden, Jacksonville have made him one of the best paid WRs in the NFL.
And it’s not like this is a one off. The Jags have also spent heavily on guard Bradnon Scherff, tight end Evan Engram and wideout Zay Jones.
On the other side of the ball, linebacker Foyesade Oluokun and defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi will bolster a defense in need of leaders.
Having also added Travon Walker and Devin Lloyd in the NFL Draft, the potential for the Jacksonville defense is already looking a lot brighter.
Whether they’ve overspent or not is still up for debate. But no doubt, the additions they’ve made this offseason will help the Jaguars improve on their record in the upcoming season.
Big year for Trevor Lawrence
2022 is a fresh start for all. But the Jaguars will desperately need to see improved play from Lawrence.
Last year’s No.1 pick came into the league with high expectations. A once in a generation talent who people envisioned would transform the fortunes of the franchise from the start.
Alas, it wasn’t to be a quick fix.
His struggles with decision-making and accuracy through last year is worrying, even if it came early into his professional career.
Amidst a dismal team record and possibly the worst hear coach in the NFL history, Lawrence had the worst passer rating amongst the five first-round quarterbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft.
A poor offensive line and a depleted receiving core was partially to blame, on top of the toxic situation with their head coach. But ultimately, he’ll want to forget about his rookie year and move on.
Lawrence knows that losing is part of the process. He’ll have learned an awful lot last year and the experience will have toughened him as a pro.
The former Clemson QB was impressive in the season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, something he can build on.
Given the new surplus of targets in North Florida, Lawrence is well primed to improve next season. There are no excuses for year two.
If he can get it right, Jacksonville can be competitive and improve in 2022.
