However, since then, Florida’s third NFL franchise has become something of a laughing stock, recording the fifth most losses since their inception in ’95 and never having even attended the Super Bowl.

Despite this, the Jaguars have had a reasonably strong set of passers, which seems only fitting given the number of high draft picks they have accumulated over the years.

We’ll take a look at the 10 best Jaguars quarterbacks of all time:

10. Cody Kessler (2018)

GettyCody Kessler.

Not a spectacular remnant of the end of the Jaguars‘ Blake Bortles era by any means, but Cody Kessler is one of the few Jaguars backup QBs to have actually registered more than one win, something remarkably rare among fellow Jacksonville second-stringers. Kessler, originally a third-round pick for the Browns back in the 2016 NFL draft, was pushed into a starting role toward the end of the 2018 season to replace a waning Bortles, who was cut at the end of the season. While he did not set the world alight during his four game stint, he did manage to record 2 wins, going 2-2. Simply going 0.500 as a backup and playing with marginal competence is enough to earn him a spot on this list.

9. Quinn Gray (2002 – 2007)

GettyQuinn Gray.

Another 2-2 backup Jacksonville quarterback, and quite honestly No. 9 and No. 10 are nearly interchangeable. A strong-armed pusher of the ball down the field, Quinn Gray impressed in his four starts, throwing 10 touchdowns for a respectable 85.6 passer rating. Perhaps Gray’s best work, however, came in relief duty — highlighted by an impressive 2 touchdown, 119.0 passer rating display in a 40-13 win against the Titans on the last day of the 2005 regular season.

8. Chad Henne (2012 – 2017)

GettyChad Henne.

The man who most recently served as Patrick Mahomes’ backup, Chad Henne was a highly utilized backup at the outset of his career with the Jaguars, starting 22 games in his first three years with the team — and that does not include a rather spectacular 4-touchdown game off the bench against the Texans in 2012. Very much a stable, consistent presence in contrast to Gray’s more highlight-reel pageantry, Henne was a good leader in the room and a solid backup for multiple years in Jacksonville.

7. Blaine Gabbert (2011 – 2013)

GettyBlaine Gabbert.

The first of the Jacksonville starting QBs on this list, Blaine Gabbert’s time in Florida can unfortunately only be labeled as a disappointing one. Having been drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2011, Gabbert was expected to continue the legacy of his Pro Bowl predecessor, David Garrard, as a quality mobile, playmaking quarterback — except with a stronger arm. However, he never managed to reach anywhere near those heights; battling injuries and failing to maintain consistent play when healthy led to his ultimate demise, as he was benched for Chad Henne and subsequently traded to the San Francisco 49ers a few months later.

6. Gardner Minshew (2019 – 2020)

GettyGardner Minshew.

A fan favorite for long periods, the very fun Gardner Minshew burst onto the scene as a rookie in relief of the injured Nick Foles, who had just been signed to a four-year, $88 million deal with the Jaguars in the 2019 offseason. From Week 1, Minshew demonstrated a sharp processing of the game and impressive decision making for a rookie, throwing for 3,271 yards and 21 touchdowns in just 12 starts — going 6-6 in the process. This gave the Jaguars enough confidence to audition the Washington State alum to be the quarterback of the future over the course of the 2020 season. Sadly, Minshew did not pass that test, and a combination of a thumb injury and a “Sophomore Slump” in play eventually led to him posting just a 1-7 record as a starter, ultimately leading to the Jags receiving the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, where they selected Trevor Lawrence.

5. Byron Leftwich (2003 – 2006)

GettyByron Leftwich.

Perhaps known best to younger fans of the game as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ Super Bowl winning offensive coordinator under head coach Bruce Arians, Byron Leftwich was another Top 10 draft pick who never quite turned out for the Jacksonville Jaguars — though the fault for this does not solely rest upon Leftwich’s shoulders. After a developmental but steady first couple of years, Leftwich suffered a broken ankle toward the end of year three — which had been by far his best in a Jacksonville outfit. He injured his ankle again in year four, limiting him to just three starts in 2006, and Leftwich was ultimately cut and replaced by fellow first round pick David Garrard.

4. David Garrard (2002 – 2010)

GettyDavid Garrard.

The replacement for Byron Leftwich — who, oddly enough, was actually drafted the year before Leftwich — David Garrard had to wait in the wings, starting just three games in his first three years before having the chance to showcase his talents after Leftwich’s devastating ankle injury. And with an impressive showing the following season following Leftwich’s re-injury, Garrard finally became the guy. An excellent dual-threat QB who went to the 2009 Pro Bowl and brought the Jags their first playoff win in eight years in 2007, Garrard is quite possibly the most electric QB in franchise history who posted consistently good years for half a decade with the team.

3. Blake Bortles (2014 – 2018)

GettyBlake Bortles.

Blake Bortles’ career will forever be remembered in two parts: the 2015 and 2017 seasons, and every other season. A surprise pick at No. 3 overall in 2014, Bortles had traditional rookie growing pains in his first year before blossoming into the strong-armed gunslinger that general manager Tom Coughlin envisioned in 2015. While a disappointing third season yielded a measly 3-13 record, Bortles was bare minutes from making history in 2017 when he took Jacksonville to the brink of Super Bowl LII, only to lose in heartbreaking fashion to the Patriots, through a pair of Tom Brady-Danny Amendola fourth-quarter touchdowns in a comeback 24-20 win. Bortles never managed to bring the Jaguars that close to a Lombardi Trophy again and was released at the end of the following season, putting a lid on a short but highly eventful Jacksonville Jaguars career.

2. Trevor Lawrence (2021- Present)

GettyTrevor Lawrence.

Someone who, prior to the 2024 season, could have potentially even stolen the No. 1 spot on this list, “TLaw” is the ultimate hard-to-pin-down quarterback. A generational talent coming out of Clemson in 2021, Trevor Lawrence had one of the more tumultuous rookie seasons that ended in the firing of head coach Urban Meyer. Since Doug Pederson took over in 2022, Lawrence has begun to live up to his billing as a highly elite prospect — the high point of which was a Pro Bowl 2022 season that finished with an all-time 24 point, second-half comeback. An injury in the second half of 2023 halted an early season run, while poor play in 2024 has kept the team at the cellar of the AFC South. Regardless, Lawrence is a very high-quality player who is the first truly “Super Bowl caliber” talent at quarterback Jacksonville has ever known.

1. Mark Brunell (1995-2003)

GettyMark Brunell.

And with the No. 1 pick we have, fittingly, Jacksonville’s first ever quarterback, Mark Brunell. Another dual-threat quarterback in the lineage of Jaguars signal callers, Brunell holds franchise records in completions, yards and touchdowns, and brought the at-the-time 2-year-old franchise to the AFC Championship in 1996 only to lose — like in 2017 — to the New England Patriots. To have played as well as he did for a team that had only just been formed reveals a lot about his leadership ability, grit and mental fortitude. Also as the Jaguars’ longest tenured quarterback with a total of eight seasons at the helm, Brunell is most certainly the Jacksonville Jaguars’ greatest ever quarterback.

The list isn’t over yet! See our pick for Number 11 HERE. Sound off to let us know who we missed!

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Several hours after the Jaguars-Texans game ended on the evening of December 1, there was an update from Lawrence himself. The franchise QB posted on X, thanking fans and loved ones for their support during this difficult time.

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out / been praying for me,” Lawrence wrote. “I’m home and feeling better. Means a lot, thank you all🙌🏼.”

Similarly, his wife Marissa posted a message on her Instagram story. It read: “Thank you all for the texts and prayers 🤍. Just taking time to make sure he’s okay and get healthy but we appreciate all the support and love.”

Lawrence returned to action against the Texans after missing two games — and three weeks total, including the Jaguars’ Week 12 bye — with a left shoulder AC joint injury. Before Week 13, some suggested that Jacksonville could shut Lawrence down for the remainder of the season, given their record. He refused that prognosis, however, gutting his way back out onto the field.

Lawrence was able to play for a little over a quarter and a half on Sunday before Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair knocked him out of the game with a late hit as he was sliding. Al-Shaair was ejected from the game after an on-field brawl broke out between the two teams.

Before the injury, Lawrence completed 4-of-10 pass attempts for 41 yards and a passer rating of 12.9. He also threw an interception and scrambled for 6 yards on the play that resulted in his injury.

The score was 6-0 in favor of the Texans at the time. It finished Houston 23, Jacksonville 20.

Texans QB C.J. Stroud Sends ‘Prayers’ to Trevor Lawrence After Facing Jaguars in Week 13

Tempers ran high throughout the Week 13 clash between the two AFC South rivals. Having said that, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud led by example after the game, sending a heartfelt message to his fellow QB at the end of his postgame press conference.

“I just wanted to say, man… prayers to Trevor,” Stroud stated publicly. “I pray he’s okay. Prayers to his family as well.”

The Texans second-year QB did add that he’s “still rocking with” his teammate, Al-Shaair, noting that he doesn’t “think that was [the linebacker’s] intent.”

Stroud ended by reiterating that he prays that Lawrence is okay, and that “his family is right there with him.”

Trevor Lawrence Injury Reactions Call for Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair to Be Suspended, or Worse

FOX Sports NFL reporter Henry McKenna shared video of the Al-Shaair hit that lit a fire under many on social media. “This makes me sick,” McKenna reacted. “Hoping for a speedy recovery from Trevor Lawrence.”

McKenna was not alone in how he was feeling, as many rushed to the support of Lawrence on X.

“[Al-Shaair] can’t play or get paid until Trevor Lawrence can play,” commented sports columnist Jason Whitlock.

Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III seemed to agree, stating: “Prayers up for Trevor Lawrence. There is no place in the game of football for dirty hits like this one.”

“That’s bull by Azeez Al-Shaair!!” Ex-NFL safety Ryan Clark also weighed in. “You just dive over the QB’s head when they slide. You make sure they go down but you don’t go to the players helmet like that. I 100% agree with an ejection. And 100% there’s supposed to be a fight! Jaguars did the right thing.”

Finally, veteran Houston beat reporter John McClain wrote: “I’ve been covering the NFL for 48 years and I can’t remember a cheap shot worse than what Al-Shaair did to Lawrence. He’ll be lucky to avoid a suspension.”

Suspension — or lifetime ban — was the suggestion from most Jaguars fans. Of course, this isn’t the first time Al-Shaair has drawn the ire of opposing fanbases.

The Texans defender delivered a massive hit on rookie QB Caleb Williams as he was attempting to run out of bounds earlier this season. After a skirmish, he later punched Chicago Bears running back Roschon Johnson. Earlier in his career, Al-Shaair also grabbed the throat of Tom Brady while landing a QB hit during his time with the San Francisco 49ers.

“At some point, it’s not dirty plays. It’s a dirty player,” argued ESPN’s Phil Murphy after the hit on Lawrence. NFL Operations will surely take a long look at this tackle throughout the week as they determine the severity of his punishment.

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One of those big decisions will be whether they want to sign veteran offensive tackle Garett Bolles to a new contract or find a new player to protect the blind side of quarterback Bo Nix via the 2025 NFL draft.

Because of Bolles’ age — he’ll be 33 years old next season — the Broncos might be leaning toward letting the former NFL All-Pro find a new team in free agency. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine predicts that team will be the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South.

Bolles is in the final season of a 4-year, $68 million contract extension he signed in November 2020.

“The Jaguars have not done a good job of protecting (Trevor) Lawrence and changes are likely to be made,” Ballentine wrote. “Left tackle Cam Robinson is a free agent. It’s not hard to picture them targeting Garrett Bolles as a possible upgrade over Robinson.”

Bolles One of Few Bright Spots for Broncos

The Broncos drafted Bolles in the first round (No. 20 overall) out of Utah in the 2017 NFL draft. Now in his eighth season, Bolles has yet to play on a team with a winning record but has been among the NFL’s elite players at his position at different times.

The Broncos might still want to consider signing Bolles to a new deal. Especially if the Broncos make the playoffs for the first time since 2015.

Before the season, Holder singled out Bolles’ new contract as the most important move the team needed to make.

Bolles earned NFL All-Pro honors in 2020 and bounced back from a season-ending injury in 2022 after five games to start all 17 games for the Broncos in 2023 and played every single offensive snap of the season — 1,072 snaps in total.

The Broncos have already made one move to shore up their offensive line for the foreseeable future when they signed guard Quinn Meinerz to a 4-year, $80 million contract extension before the 2024 season.

“Bolles has been a solid left tackle in Denver over the last seven years, but he’s entering a contract year and nearing his mid-30s,” Holder wrote. “That’s typically when players start to decline, however, the Broncos will have to consider giving the 2020 second-team All-Pro an extension seeing as they have a young quarterback in Bo Nix.”

Jacksonville Has Bottomed Out in 2024

Jacksonville went into the season thinking it was going to be a battle between them and the Houston Texans for AFC South supremacy. That just hasn’t been the case.

The Jaguars seem to have bottomed out in 2024 and are 2-6 at the midway point of the season, with head coach Doug Pederson unlikely to last beyond this season — if he even makes it to the end of this season. It also comes after Lawrence became one of the highest-paid players in NFL history with a 5-year, $275 million contract extension signed in June 2024.

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One of the teams that seems bound to be a seller headed toward the November 5 trade deadline is the Jacksonville Jaguars, who dropped to 1-5 with a loss to the Chicago Bears in Week 6 and have what seems like a lame duck head coach in Doug Pederson.

Perhaps the Jaguars’ most valuable trade asset could have some appeal to the Denver Broncos, who are now 3-3 following a 23-16 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers — Jacksonville running back Travis Etienne.

Etienne, a 2021 first-round pick, is coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2022 and 2023 but has taken a backseat in Jacksonville’s offense to Tank Bigsby for one reason or another.

“… The question becomes whether any (Jacksonville) players are available to be turned into future draft assets,” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio wrote on October 14. “The most obvious name is running back Travis Etienne. A first-round pick in 2021, Etienne has slipped behind Tank Bigsby as the best running back on the roster, in the opinion of many. So why not send Etienne to a team that is looking to boost its backfield in an effort to contend?”

If they’re willing to take on a big salary in 2025 — relative to the position he plays — the Broncos could make a deal for Etienne that would boost up an anemic running game and keep them in playoff contention in the AFC West.

Etienne Has Proven He Can Be Dominant RB

Etienne was one of the most dominant college running backs of the last decade at Clemson, where he teamed up with Jacksonville quarterback and 2021 No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence to lead the Tigers to the 2018 College Football Playoff national championship.

Etienne was also a 3-time All-American and 2-time ACC Player of the Year before the Jaguars drafted him at No. 25 overall in 2021, but he missed his entire rookie season with a foot injury after former head coach Urban Meyer attempted a bizarre position move to wide receiver.

Etienne signed a 4-year, $12.8 million rookie contract and the Jaguars have already picked up his fifth year option, which will pay him $6.1 million in 2025 — perhaps the biggest hurdle in any team trying pulling off a trade.

Broncos Need Major Upgrade in Backfield

Against the Chargers, rookie quarterback Bo Nix found himself leading the rushing attack once again with 6 carries for 61 yards. Last season’s leading rusher, Javonte Williams, had 6 carries for 23 yards and leads the Broncos with 213 rushing yards through 6 games but is averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Etienne has 230 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns while averaging 4.1 yards per carry and also has 91 receiving yards — he’d also inarguably be the Broncos No. 1 running back from the moment he showed up.

Since the Broncos have a surplus of running backs, they might be able to ship Williams or Jaleel McLaughlin and a late-round pick in exchange for Etienne.

The Broncos haven’t had a player go over 1,000 rushing yards since Phillip Lindsay in 2019.

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One key to that continued success will be protecting rookie quarterback Bo Nix and making sure a revitalized running game continues to chug along. That’s going to be hard to do with recent injuries to the offensive line, and Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine thinks the team should sign veteran offensive tackle Blake Hance off the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad and add him to the active roster to address some of those issues.

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For those good vibes to continue, the Commanders are going to need more than just offense. They can start improving their defense by upgrading at cornerback, according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder.

He suggested the possibility of signing veteran cornerback Tre Herndon, who is a free agent after spending the first 6 seasons of his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

“A big part of the problem is the position group is young, so it could use an extra veteran,” Holder wrote in B/R’s weekly story “prioritizing every roster’s biggest weaknesses before Week 5.” “There aren’t any game-changing options available at this stage, but Herndon could be a solid pickup seeing as he posted a 73.1 coverage grade from Pro Football Focus last season. Also, the 28-year-old has the versatility to cover the slot or out on the boundary to, at the least, be a valuable player to turn to off the bench.”

Herndon Played Way Onto Jags’ Roster as UDFA

Herndon was a 3-year starter at Vanderbilt and ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash but wasn’t selected in the 2018 NFL draft — he still made the Jaguars 53-man roster that year.

The Jaguars used Herndon as a full-time starter for 2 seasons and he had a career-high 3 interceptions in 2019 and a career-high 62 tackles in 2020. In 6 seasons in Jacksonville, Herndon played in 83 games with 34 starts. He signed a 1-year, $1.1 million free agent contract with the New York Giants in June 2024 but was part of their final roster cuts on August 27.

Commanders Have One of NFL’s Worst Secondaries

Through 4 games, the Commanders have given up more passing touchdowns (10) than any team in the NFL and have no interceptions. They’re also 10th in the NFL in team passing defense and are last in the NFL in opponents’ QB ratings (123.3).

The Commanders have been down 1 cornerback since the season opener, when 2023 first-round pick Emmanuel Forbes Jr. tore the UCL on his thumb and underwent surgery on Sept. 13, although Forbes didn’t earn a starting spot in training camp and only played 33 snaps, giving up 3 receptions on 3 targets at 12.7 yards per catch.

While Benjamin St-Juste has been at one of the starting cornerback spots for the entire season, rookie Mike Sainristil has taken over as the starter opposite St-Juste, with opening-day starter and former first-round pick Noah Igbinoghene moving to Sainristil’s spot at nickleback.

Sainristil helped lead Michigan to an undefeated season and College Football Playoff national championship in 2023. The Commanders selected him in the second round (No. 50 overall) of the 2024 NFL draft.

Sainristil showed a knack for making big plays in 2023 with 2 forced fumbles and 6 interceptions for 232 return yards, including two returned for touchdowns.

“Reliable and tough with the athleticism and upside to keep getting better as a nickel corner,” NFL analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft evaluation. “Sainristil is a former receiver who plays with surprising field awareness and attention to detail as a zone defender. He has the twitch and footwork to stay connected with routes in man coverage but needs more experience at the position to operate with better recognition and feel for the routes.”

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Fournette “is working out” with the Patriots “per sources” on Wednesday, July 19, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. It appeared relatively unexpected as the Patriots had interest in free agent running back and four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook for weeks.

Fournette isn’t Cook, but Fournette enjoyed his share of success with the Bucs and retired quarterback Tom Brady from 2020 to 2022.

Whether or not the Patriots will find “Playoff Lenny” or the back who stumbled to 3.5 yards per carry remains the question. Tampa Bay released Fournette in March after the team finished last in every major rushing category.

A former No. 4 pick with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Fournette took off early in his career with two 1,000-yard seasons. He also had solid playoff performances with the Jaguars, which reached the AFC Championship Game once, but things turned south for Fournette after that.

Jacksonville released Fournette in September 2020, but he turned things around in Tampa Bay with Brady. Fournette amassed 448 total yards and four touchdowns in the Bucs’ Super Bowl run that season, which brought about “Playoff Lenny”.

His stellar play with the Bucs continued in the 2021 season as the team’s leading rusher. Fournette looked like “Playoff Lenny” again when he tied the Divisional Round game late in the fourth quarter before a last-second loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Tampa Bay rewarded Fournette with a three-year, $21 million contract after the season. However, he didn’t find the same success in 2022 amid 668 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in addition to losing the starting job to rookie Rachaad White.

Despite the downturn, Fournette’s pass-catching ability remained a threat with 73 catches for 523 yards and three touchdowns. He’s maintained success in that area amid 312 receptions for 2,219 yards and seven touchdowns for his career.

If New England adds Fournette to the backfield, the Patriots add another quality rusher behind 1,000-yard back Rhamondre Stevenson. While Stevenson is also a solid pass-catching threat, Fournette would add another target out of the backfield for quarterback Mac Jones.

New England arguably needs to find more offensive talent after losing out on free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins. The Patriots were also “intrigued” by free agent running back Dalvin Cook, but the four-time Pro Bowler has a high asking price.

Leonard Fournette Was Really a Bright Spot on Offense

Regardless of what the Patriots spend, the team didn’t generate sufficient touchdowns last season amid 21.1 points per game. Even Fournette as less than “Playoff Lenny” could spark the Patriots offense, considering the team’s recent lows.

Fournette scored six touchdowns for an inept Bucs offense that floundered at 18.4 points per game with Brady under center. The Bucs also had a leaky offensive line amid injuries and youth, which impacted Fourentte’s success.

Leonard Fournette a Bigger Bargain in Free Agency Than Dalvin Cook

Signing Fournette will  come at a significantly lower price than Cook. Spotrac projects Fournette for a two-year, $4.68 million deal or $2.3 million annually.

Cook wants top-10 running back money, which pushes him toward $10 million annually as the top 10 backs make that or more. Spotrac projects him for two years, $17.5 million or $8.7 million annually.

New England has $17.74 million in salary cap space, which sparked controversy over the team’s miss of Hopkins. However, the Patriots have additional needs such as tackle and cornerback — especially depending on how the Jack Jones situation plays out.

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Whether through free agency, trades, the NFL Draft, there are 32 front offices that believe they have added the pieces necessary to make a run at the Lombardi Trophy and a Super Bowl championship this fall.

So, who are the X-Factors who will breakout and make the biggest impact for their respective teams this season?

As training camps approach, let’s take a look at the X-Factor from each division, beginning with the AFC, who will play a starring role in shaking up the playoff chase during the 2023 campaign.

However, there is one caveat; there no quarterbacks on these lists.

Because few positions in sports make a more significant impact than quarterback, these lists will exclude them, in favor of diving deeper into the other players who just might wind up deciding the division championships this season.

With help from insight gleaned from conversations with coaches and executives around the NFL, here’s a list of the X-Factors for each AFC Division:

AFC West: Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

Kadarius Toney had his coming out party on the grandest stage imaginable, playing a vital role in the Chiefs’ win over the Philadelphia Eagles to hoist the Lombardi aloft. But, Toney’s strong showing may only be a harbinger of what’s to come in 2023.

As the Chiefs continue to aim to replace the speed lost with Tyreek Hill’s departure prior to last season, Toney just might be ready to fill the void left behind in Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal.

“He has it in him to be a really good player and have a big impact on their offense,” an NFC Personnel Director told Heavy. “He has enough talent to be a real threat. Kadarius can be a key piece for them.”

Last season, Toney caught 14 passes for 171 yards with a pair of touchdowns, after arriving in Kansas City in a midseason trade with the Giants. Given the former first-round pick’s lightning-quick explosiveness and ability to slash on a dime, don’t be surprised if Andy Reid deploys Toney all over the offense to great effectiveness this season.

AFC East: Jalen Ramsey, CB, Miami Dolphins

If quarterbacks were included, Aaron Rodgers would run away with the crown for the AFC East. But, no addition inside the division, outside of the former MVP and Super Bowl winning quarterback moving eastward to Gotham, will make a bigger impact than Jalen Ramsey joining the Dolphins.

Last season, Ramsey held opposing quarterbacks to a 98.6 passer rating, and how gets the benefit of playing on the opposite side of feared Dolphins corner Xavian Howard.

In an explosive division that houses playmakers such as Rodgers, Garrett Wilson and Randall Cobb, Josh Allen, Stefon Diggs, and Gabe Davis, as well as potentially DeAndre Hopkins, Ramsey playing opposite Howard gives the Dolphins a formidable counter-punch.

AFC South: Calvin Ridley, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Last season saw Trevor Lawrence make major strides to resembling the generational prospect he was hailed as coming out of Clemson, working alongside head coach Doug Pederson for the first time, and Calvin Ridley’s arrival may accelerate Lawrence’s development even further.

Few players are likely to be more motivated this season than Ridley, coming off a yearlong suspension for violating the NFL’s sports betting policy (whatever that is, exactly), and after what Ridley already showed he is capable of in Atlanta, he just might be a game-changer in Lawrence’s arsenal.

Ridley, 28, is two years removed from a 1,374-yard and 10-touchdown campaign, but with Lawrence ascending as he arrives in Jacksonville, the prolific receiver might hold the keys to the Jaguars separating themselves from the AFC South and climbing the conference hierarchy this fall.

AFC North: Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens seem to have come to the realization that the quickest way to unseating the Cincinnati Bengals in the AFC North is to surround Lamar Jackson with elite weapons who will bring out the best in the dynamic quarterback.

If Odell Beckham Jr.’s arrival was a sea-change in philosophy at wide receiver, drafting Zay Flowers in Round 1 was a move that didn’t just reaffirm a new strategy but gave Jackson a potential game-altering weapon with staying power.

“Zay’s the kind of kid who can give them an underneath, run-after-the catch option,” an AFC East Personnel Executive told Heavy. “Putting Zay with Mark Andrews, it gives Lamar Jackson some easy first-read and late-down outlets.”

Flowers has the versatility to line up from the slot, or out wide, and is equally productive from both alignments. Last season, at Boston College, Flowers averaged 6.4 Yards After The Catch Per Reception, while producing 1,077 yards with 12 touchdowns. If that production translates, Jackson and the Ravens’ offense may get really vertical for the first time.

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Early summer is a time when hope springs eternal for NFL teams, and players, alike, as minicamps wind down and the grind of training camp and the upcoming season await with much optimism and promise. It’s also the perfect time to project out which players will shine the brightest in the fall.

Projecting which players will wind up as a First-Team All-Pro can be a daunting task, but easy all at once, by simply placing the name of the best player at his position the prior season into your projected list for the next one.

But, in order to make things a bit more interesting, to shine the spotlight a little brighter on some of the stars of the game that are knocking on the doorstep of reaching “elite’ status, we opted instead to make the list of players most likely to become a First-Team All-Pro selection for the first time.

Here are our selections:

QB: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts very nearly stole the MVP and a first-team All-Pro slot from Patrick Mahomes last season, but the stage seems set for the 24-year-old to make another significant stride in his development. Given that this will be Hurts’ second season throwing to dynamic receiver A.J. Brown, as well as DeVonta Smith’s third NFL season (when receivers typically begin to peak), all of the pieces are in place for Hurts to take his game and the Eagles’ outlook to new heights.

RB: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2022, and he’s one of the most feared backs in the game. The combination of the Browns‘ run-based scheme, an offensive line that can make a strong claim as one of the two best in the league, and Chubb’s ferocious running style give the 27-year-old a great chance to make the varsity squad in 2023.

RB: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Running back might be the easiest position to make the leap to first-team All-Pro as a rookie. Especially when a rookie running back can expect the kind of workload Robinson can in Atlanta, combined with his explosiveness as a runner and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. If Robinson’s 104 forced missed tackles and 1,o71 yards after contact from last season at the University of Texas translate to the NFL, look out.

WR: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Not only was A.J. Brown a touchdown-maker, catching a career-high 11 in his first season in Philadelphia, he was a monster averaging 6.4 Yards After the Catch per Reception. If that was Brown’s introduction to the Eagles‘ offense, imagine how much more prolific he’ll be in a second season as Hurts’ favorite target.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2021, but each year the dynamic receiver’s chemistry seems to strengthen with quarterback Joe Burrow. Injuries limited Chase to just 12 games last season, yet he still produced 1,046 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. Given that Chase averaged 4.8 Yards after The Catch per Reception, just imagine how productive he’ll be if he can stay on the field for the entire 2023 campaign.

WR: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

One might think that the addition of a speedster like Tyreek Hill on the other side might limit the production of a player like Waddle, but that’s not exactly how 2022 played out. Sure, Waddle only caught 75 passes (down from 104 in 2022), but his yards per catch average nearly doubled to an eye-popping 18.1. Waddle’s speed gives him the ability to take the top off a defense. Playing opposite Hill creates space. Don’t be surprised if Waddle finds a way to build on last season’s 1,356-yard and 8-touchdown outburst.

TE: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Hockenson was an absolute revelation to the Vikings‘ offense, after arriving in a midseason trade. The 25-year-old caught 60 passes for 519 yards with 3 touchdowns during the final 10 games of the season. With Justin Jefferson flying down the perimeter, expect there to be plenty of room for Hockenson to operate underneath, and plenty of check down targets from Kirk Cousins for him to rack up yards and touchdowns this season.

LT: Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Andrew Thomas is one of the ascending stars along the offensive line, and the trajectory of his career has been ticking upward the past two seasons, in a big way. A Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, Thomas only allowed three sacks and continued to emerge as a stalwart along the Giants’ offensive line.

RT: Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons

McGary is a dominant presence along the line of scrimmage, and one of the Falcons’ building blocks on offense. Last season, McGary was Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 highest-rated offensive tackle, with an 86.6 overall grade. The addition of Robinson in the backfield will give McGary even more opportunities to showcase his ability as a lead-blocker in the running game, where he posted the highest run-blocking grade of anyone not named Trent Williams, at 91.6.

LG: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Thuney has been a stalwart of consistency throughout his career, and he has elevated his game to new heights since arriving in Kansas City in 2021. Last season, Thuney was instrumental in keeping Mahomes upright, allowing only one sack and 15 total pressures. That kind of consistency up front makes it easy for a freelancer like Mahomes to create big-play opportunities.

RG: Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears

Teven Jenkins is a road grader up front in the running game, a tactician in pass protection, and one of the anchors of the Chicago Bears‘ offensive line. Last season, Jenkins only allowed 2.0 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures. He’s already on the cusp of breaking through as an All-Pro, and if the Bears’ offense makes major strides, this could be his season to crack the list.

C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Creed Humphrey is the most consistently dominant young center in this league. Full stop. Humphrey is a complete mauler as a run-blocker, producing an elite 91.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, and a stonewall in pass protection, where he didn’t allow a single sack last season, with just one surrendered through the first two seasons of his career. Maybe more impressive than the fact that Humphrey allowed just 21, quarterback hits is that he was flagged for only 4 penalties in 1,138 snaps in 2022. Humphrey is an ascending talent and perhaps next in line to be a permanent All-Pro fixture.

EDGE: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

There are few pass-rushers who strike as much fear in opposing offensive tackles as Maxx Crosby does when he’s flying off the edge. It is almost unfair that a player has that much burst and that much speed, flying off the corner. Beyond freakish athleticism, Crosby’s productivity speaks for itself; 15.0 sacks, 81 total pressures, 4 forced fumbles, and 70 tackles in 2022 as the centerpiece of the Raiders‘ defense. Given the exotic blitz packages defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is accustomed to drawing up, don’t be surprised if even those numbers from Crosby take a big jump in 2023.

EDGE: Montez Sweat, Washington Commanders

Montez Swat is borderline unblockable off the edge, where he produced 8.0 sacks and 63 total pressures as the centerpiece of the Commanders’ front-seven in 2022. What makes Sweat special is that he’s one of the more dominant run-stopping edge players in the game, on top of being a game-wrecker when rushing the passer. Sweat is one of the more complete players at his position, and if he continues his upward trajectory, could find himself on All-Pro lists this season.

DL: D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

Injuries limited D.J. Reader’s production last season, he missed six games due to a knee injury while finishing with 27 tackles and 1.0 sack, but don’t let those numbers fool you into thinking this isn’t one of the top players at his position. Reader is a matchup nightmare, a dominant interior pass-rusher, and as steady as they come against the run. If Reader can stay on the field all season, 2023 could be the year he solidifies his place among the elite of the position.

DL: Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Few humans walking the earth can move with the speed and burst that Dexter Lawrence shows on each snap, at a mammoth 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds. Not only does Lawrence take up boatloads of space against the run, but his 9.0 sacks and 63 total pressures are absolute game-wreckers up the middle for opposing quarterbacks. Lawrence was a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, and playing another season in coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s scheme should create even more opportunities for Lawrence to destroy things up the middle. If he does, well, etch his name on the First-Team list this season.

LB: Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears

Edmunds arrives in Chicago coming off the most dominant season of his prolific career. Once again surpassing 100 total tackles, Edmunds produced a team-high 101, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 87.1. All that, only to leave Buffalo without a contract extension. Given Edmunds’ productivity, his talent, and the added motivation that comes with being spurned by your former team, expect big things from the centerpiece of the Bears’ revamped defense in 2023.

LB: Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lloyd didn’t waste any time throwing his weight around, as a rookie in the Jaguars’ linebacker corps last season. The Utah alum’s three interceptions led all linebackers, and he was consistently around the football, carding 110 total tackles. If Lloyd builds on his stellar rookie season, don’t be surprised to find him on this list by year’s end.

LB: Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers

A strong case can be made that each member of the 49ers’ front-seven could wind up an All-Pro, but Greenlaw should benefit more than most from Javon Hargrave’s arrival. Last season Greenlaw had 127 tackles and was just a brick wall against the run. Expect that to continue in 2023.

CB: Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the most talented defenses in the league, and the best defensive back on the roster might be Charvarius Ward, who is criminally underrated outside the Bay Area. Opposing quarterbacks managed only an 88.2 passer rating when targeting Ward last season, and receivers had little room to operate, averaging just 11 yards per catch. Given the combination of the 49ers’ ferocious front-seven and Ward’s prowess in man coverage, the stage could be set for the 27-year-old to have a career year in 2023.

CB: Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Entering his third season, Samuel Jr. hasn’t just already proven himself to be a legitimate ballhawk, but he continues to get better. Quarterbacks rarely targeted Samuel Jr. last season, and when they did, they managed a meager 97.6 passer rating on those throws. Samuel Jr. already etched his name in the record books, becoming the first player to pull down three interceptions in his playoff debut. If Samuel builds on a stellar finish to 2022, there’s a good chance he finishes 2023 as an All-Pro.

S: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Hamilton is as versatile as they come at safety, and aims to build on a prolific rookie season, that was capped by him leading the Ravens’ defense with 9.0 tackles in a Wild Card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only does Hamilton thrive in coverage, where he played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per Reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage. Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value at all levels of the Ravens’ defense.

S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winfield Jr. is an ascending talent at the safety position, who could see more opportunities to create turnovers as head coach Todd Bowles dials up the pressure via the blitz this season. Moving to free safety this season could create more opportunities for Winfield to flash in coverage, where he held opposing receivers to just 10.5 Yards per Reception in 2022. If the Buccaneers’ defense bounces back, and Winfield plays a starring role, don’t be surprised when he winds up being an impact player this season.

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The wide receiver group has been scrutinized heavily since the end of the season, as the lack of high-level help around star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb became apparent in final weeks of the year.

But the team could address their wide receiver group and the possible departure of free agent tight end Dalton Schultz with one signing: Jacksonville Jaguars star Evan Engram.

Engram found new life with the Jaguars in 2023, putting together the best season of his career with a hybrid role in the Jacksonville offense. Engram was always billed as a tight end, but head coach Doug Pederson and his staff were creative in their usage of the former New York Giant and had him line up all over the field.

Engram wouldn’t be the cheapest possible option, primarily because the Cowboys could realistically stick with the 2022 rookies, Jake Ferguson and Peyton Hendershot. But if they want to try and kill two birds with one stone, Engram could help both the receivers and tight ends in 2023.

Engram Excels with Jaguars

When Jacksonville handed Engram a $9 million, one-year deal back in the 2022 offseason, there were some understandable doubts. Engram had just had his worst season in the NFL, and the PFR numbers showed that.

In his final season with New York, Engram totaled 408 receiving yards and three touchdowns. In his singular season with the Jaguars, the tight end set personal bests for receptions and receiving yards with 73 catches and 766 yards, adding four touchdowns to boot.

It was an impressive turnaround for a player whose stock had never been lower, and the connection between Engram and quarterback Trevor Lawrence was apparent. While Lawrence is showing potential, getting Cowboys QB Dak Prescott that kind of weapon should translate to similar or even better results.

Cowboys Could Snatch Engram from Jacksonville

After the Jaguars lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round, Engram was asked about his thoughts on Jacksonville. The 28-year-old made it fairly apparent that he is planning on staying with the Jaguars.

I’ve had the best year of my life, the most fun I’ve had in a while,” Engram said, according to Action Sports Jax. “It sucks that our season is over. We’ve got to wait a while to get back; training camp will be here sooner than later… It wasn’t a good five years, my first five years in the league. Those were rough. All I did was work, at that point. But coming here, I love working here.”

However, that doesn’t mean that Jacksonville couldn’t “steal” Engram in free agency. That’s especially true if they’re willing to give him a pay raise, say the $11 million that they spent using the franchise tag on Schultz.

The Cowboys’ cap situation will be one to watch, but the expectation is that they will have the ability to make space and add new blood to the squad. If Schultz is on the way out, Engram showed in 2022 that he’s certainly worth that kind of money.

The former Ole Miss star has a huge skillset and is now a veteran who knows his way around the league, and more specifically, the NFC East. Engram would be a freakish addition in terms of the variety of abilities he has, and that should only mean good things for players like Lamb and Ferguson.

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Mahomes attempted to stay in the game, which included getting his ankle taped in between series. However, he eventually went to the locker room. Backup quarterback Chad Henne then replaced Mahomes under center.

Mahomes did re-emerge on the sideline not long after heading to the locker room, but the Chiefs simultaneously announced he was questionable to return to the game. According to Ian Rapport of NFL Media, X-rays on Mahomes’s ankle came back negative, but he did appear to have suffered a high ankle sprain.

Henne led Kansas City’s offense on a 12-play, 98-yard drive during the next series that ended with Travis Kelce’s second touchdown catch of the day to take a 17-7 lead over Jacksonville.

Mahomes returned to the lineup after the half but was visibly in pain on the field. Yet, he was still able to lead two scoring drives in the second half en route to a 27-20 win for the Chiefs.

In the victory over the Jaguars, Patrick Mahomes completed 22-of-30 pass attempts for 195 passing yards and 2 touchdowns. His leading pass catcher was tight end Travis Kelce, who caught a franchise-record 14 passes for 98 yards and 2 touchdowns against Jacksonville.

The leading rusher for Kansas City was rookie Isiah Pacheco, who carried the rock 12 times for 95 yards.

The Chiefs’ defense gave up just 217 passing yards to Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, who had 1 passing touchdown and also threw a fourth-quarter interception to rookie cornerback Jaylen Watson. Kansas City’s defense also forced one other turnover by way of a fumble recovery in the second half.

The Chiefs will now advance to the AFC Championship Game and will face the winner of the AFC Divisional Round Game between the Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals.

Twitter Reacts to Mahomes’s Injury

Twitter users reacted to Mahomes’s injury during the Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs.

“This tells me there’s no fracture. If there was a fx (fracture) he would have been ruled out,” one Twitter user wrote. “They’ll try to tape him up really well to recreate the stability that is lost with a high ankle sprain. Really sucks that it’s his right leg, the one he pushes off with to throw.”

“LOL well, the Chiefs will probably actually win this game because they actually have a quarterback subbed in now who can actually play in the playoffs. This is actually a lucky break haha Mahomes was about to lose another playoff game for his team,” another user wrote.

“So they’ll try to win with Henne because Pat’s injured, but if things get bad, they’ll put Pat back out there. Got it,” another user wrote.

“Do what’s best for you Patrick, I know you want to compete but it’s not worth something significant,” another user wrote.

“Obviously he is hurt enough not to go back in but at the same time there’s always a possibility….. It’s now time for the rest of the team offensively and defensively to step up give them time to rest for next week…. But we got to make it to next week,” another user wrote.

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“Just saw a Jaguars fan, whip it out and pee on a lamp post on ward parkway…while his friend videoed lololololol Today gonna be fun,” Brittany wrote on Twitter a few hours before kickoff at Arrowhead.

Other Twitter users reacted to Brittany’s post.

“Oh no lol. My husband walked into the men’s bathroom at Paycor & found a guy passed out at the urinal. Last years playoff game against the Raiders.”

“I’m telling you though, they surprised me with the amount of disrespect Jags fans have had for the Chiefs and our city.. I say send em home with some KC BBQ that they can eat while watching the Chiefs play next weekend!!” another user wrote.

“Maybe they’re like a dog? Leaving a trail to find their way back out of town,” another user wrote. “To be fair, I get directionally challenged driving through there on a cloudy day. Never thought to leave a trail though. … oh people smh.”

Coach Spags Talks Patrick Mahomes’s Evolution

The defensive coordinator in the NFL that’s gotten the most reps against Patrick Mahomes is Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who has four seasons worth of practice reps against Kansas City’s superstar QB.

Speaking to the media on January 18, Spagnuolo discussed the difficulty of defending against a player like Mahomes, who continues to evolve how he plays the quarterback position.

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“I can’t imagine Arrowhead Stadium will be much louder than our fans were here on Saturday honestly, but that was on defense, not offense,” Lawrence said during his January 18 press conference.

TIAA Bank Field was electric during Super Wild Card Weekend due to what was happening on the field, which was a 27-point comeback from the Jaguars that ended with a game-winning field goal by kicker Riley Patterson as time expired. The win lifted Jacksonville over the Los Angeles Chargers and into the next round of the playoffs.

That game marked the third-largest comeback in NFL postseason history and the first playoff win for the Jaguars since 2017. The win also marked the seventh victory over the last eight games for Jacksonville.

The unique circumstances that took place in that Wild Card Game led to one of the most electric atmospheres found in an NFL stadium this season. But to say Arrowhead Stadium won’t be “much” louder for the Chiefs-Jaguars game shows how few times Lawrence has actually visited the home of the Chiefs.

Mahomes Talks Lawrence’s Wild Card Performance

In the 31-30 win for Jacksonville in the Wild Card Round, Lawrence started the first half with four interceptions, which gave Los Angeles plenty of opportunities to take a massive lead. Yet, Lawrence bounced back by throwing four touchdowns, which displayed an incredible amount of mental toughness from the 2021 No. 1 overall pick.

Speaking to the media on January 18, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes gave his impressions on Lawrence’s first-ever NFL playoff performance.

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Pederson pushed all the right buttons, especially on a gutsy 4th-and-1 call with 1:28 remaining in the fourth quarter. The championship-winning head coach called a timeout before the snap and changed the play to an outside sweep. That move essentially ended the game and completed the third-largest comeback in NFL postseason history.

After the game, Pederson put the Jaguars’ 31-30 win in perspective and mentioned his 2017 Super Bowl title with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“My hats off to our guys, our team,” Pederson said, via the Jaguars website. “I told them after the game that other than obviously winning the Super Bowl a few years ago, greatest coaching victory as a team, this one is right up there with it. My hats off to our guys for just battling. As deep a hole as we dug in the first half, there was no quit in our guys.”

Then, the Jaguars released footage from the locker room where Pederson delivered a powerful victory speech. His comments gave everyone the chills, whether you are a card-carrying Eagles fan or Jaguars lifer. All the feels.

“I’m proud of you for this reason. You have faith in yourselves. You have faith in each other,” Pederson said, via USA Today’s For The Win. “You keep encouraging each other, like we talk about all the time. And you believe. Belief is about understanding that you can get it done, and then, it gets done. It just can’t happen, and then you have belief. That’s what faith is about, and you guys have it.”

Eagles Fans, Players React to Jaguars Epic Comeback

Pederson’s aggressive coaching allowed Jacksonville to become the first NFL franchise to win a playoff game after finishing with the worst record in football. The Jaguars finished at 3-14 last season and earned the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft where they selected defensive end Travon Walker. The rookie pass rusher recorded half a sack in their improbable wild card upset of the Los Angeles Chargers.

Meanwhile, Eagles fans and players flocked to social media to send congratulations and well wishes to Pederson. The Eagles’ organization may have pulled the plug on him after five incredibly successful seasons. Why? Their philosophies were no longer jiving. The Philly front office wanted a younger, more progressive approach and the franchise found it in Nick Sirianni. That doesn’t mean Pederson didn’t leave a lasting legacy.

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie – the guy who ultimately made the decision to fire Pederson – was watching the Jaguars-Chargers game, too. He has been “rooting hard” for the only coach to secure a Lombardi Trophy for the franchise all year.

Jaguars Likely to Face Kansas City Chiefs Next

Jacksonville’s next opponent hasn’t been finalized yet as they await Sunday’s results. They are most likely headed for a road showdown against Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional Round. Reid, of course, was a mentor to Pederson early on in his coaching career. Reid brought Pederson on as an offensive quality control coach in Philly, then followed him to Kansas City where he served as offensive coordinator.

The Jaguars could wind up facing the Cincinnati Bengals or Buffalo Bills if the Baltimore Ravens or Miami Dolphins lose in Sunday’s AFC Wild Card Round. But, assuming all the higher seeds prevail, it’ll be Jaguars vs. Chiefs for the right to advance to the AFC Championship Game. Stay tuned.

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Twitter was ablaze on Wednesday as angry Jaguars fans pounced on Kelce for calling Jacksonville a “miserable” place to play where “nobody cares.” The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Jaguars at 1 p.m on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field. Buckle up and get ready for battle because this AFC South versus NFC North showdown just got really interesting.

“Everybody’s going to get crushed at some point,” Kelce said on October 21, 2021. “Everybody’s going to go through a down turn or be struggling, right? And at all times this city is going to be keeping you accountable for doing your job and performing. But if you stick to it and you fight through it, and you get better and everything like that, they’ll respect the hell out of you. That’s what I think most guys miss, I really don’t think this is a hard place to play at all. I think it would be miserable to play in a place like Jacksonville where nobody cares.”

The All-Pro center was pontificating about holding people accountable and earning respect in a hard-scrabble town like Philly. He had been attempting to contextualize Ben Simmons’ heel turn at the time. It also should be noted that his comments came prior to Doug Pederson taking the reins there as head coach.

Jaguars Fans on Kelce: ‘F This Backstreet Boy’

Kelce was sporting a bleached blonde boy band look when he offended the Jacksonville faithful. He had lost a bet with then-teammate Zach Ertz prior to 2021 training camp in Philadelphia. Needless to say, Jaguars fans gravitated toward his hairdo as they unleashed their venom on Kelce.

One “new Jaguars convert” wrote she “would run through a f****** wall to beat the s*** out of Philly after this kind of statement.” Whoa. Another Jaguars diehard named Steve Phillips added: “@Jaguars please beat the crap out of them. Step on their throat.” Harsh.

Meanwhile, Pederson jumped on a Zoom call with Philly reporters on Wednesday where he was asked what to expect in his Philly homecoming. This will mark the first time he’ll face the franchise he guided to a Super Bowl championship since being fired. Pederson, honest and genuine as always, said he doesn’t know what to expect. Anything is possible.

Eagles Offensive Coordinator Not Worried

Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is keenly aware of Pederson’s familiarity with the Eagles personnel. He coached up Jalen Hurts as a rookie quarterback while overseeing the drafting and development of guys like Dallas Goedert, Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Quez Watkins, as well as a good chunk of the offensive line. Pederson knows what he knows. Steichen won’t lose any sleep over it.

“I think personnel-wise obviously he knows those players really well. We’re aware of that,” Steichen told reporters. “I think offensively as coaches, schematically, each and every week we have to do a hell of a job putting our guys in position to make plays and dressing up the looks. As you get going in the season, you do have some tendencies, you need to be able to break them. Going into Week 4, still early in the season, but we need to do a good job as coaches of dressing things up.”

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Leftwich didn’t want to talk about the Jaguars opening on Thursday, Dec. 16, as he walked away from the Bucs press conference with a smile.

“I’m just trying to win a division,” Leftwich said per ESPN’s Jenna Laine.

The Bucs can win the NFC South on Sunday, Dec. 19, with a victory over rival New Orleans. Tampa Bay lost the last meeting between the two on Oct. 31 in the Superdome.

Rumors of Leftwich going to Jacksonville next season will persist anyway. Pro Football Network tabbed Leftwich as one of the top seven candidates to replace Meyer in Jacksonville. Sporting News similarly ranked Leftwich as one the eight most likely Jaguars candidates.

Leftwich guides the top-ranked Bucs offense, which produces 410.2 yards and 31.5 points per game. The Bucs offense put up monster numbers every season since Leftwich arrived in 2019 — though quarterback Jameis Winston’s interception issues marred his yardage record.

Leftwich Ascended Quickly in Coaching Ranks

If Leftwich gets the head coaching job at Jacksonville, it will mark a return home for the Bucs assistant. He played quarterback for the Jaguars, which took him No. 7 in the 2007 NFL Draft. He went 24-20 with the team in four seasons.

Leftwich “has quickly risen in the ranks of NFL coaching, going from an intern under Bruce Arians to the play-caller of the winning team of Super Bowl 55 within five years,” Pro Football Network’s Adam Beasley wrote.

Teams’ interest in Leftwich emerged during the Bucs 2020 season playoff run, but it never amounted to an interview. Leftwich getting overlooked never sat well with Bucs head coach Bruce Arians.

“I was very, very pissed that Byron didn’t at least get an interview this year,” Arians said per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. “… I think I get way too much credit and so does Tom Brady for the job that Byron has done. Hopefully next year people will see that he took Jameis Winston and broke every single record here, scoring and passing, and now Tom has broken both. He’s done a fantastic job, he’s everything supposedly what people are looking for.”

As Beasley noted, “that oversight will be corrected in the coming weeks” whether or not Leftwich coaches the Jaguars or elsewhere.

Tall Order in Jacksonville

Meyer’s return to Florida didn’t go well in Jacksonville as he couldn’t get the Jaguars (2-11) turned around this season amid a myriad of on-field and off-field problems.

He previously coached at the college level Florida followed by Ohio State. Jaguars offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will serve as the team’s interim coach for the final four games of the regular season.

Jacksonville drafted quarterback Trevor Lawrence first this year out of Clemson but doesn’t have a lot of Pro Bowl talent around him yet. The Jaguars slid from AFC contention in 2017 to a bottom feeder in the NFC South.

Tampa Bay benefited from the Jaguars slide in 2020 when the team cut running back Leonard Fournette before the 2020 season. Fournette emerged as the lead back for the Bucs this season.

Leftwich has past and more recent familiarity with the Jaguars organization through his playing days there and Fournette’s. In addition, Leftwich has succeeded working with NFL quarterbacks, which could be a boon for Lawrence and the Jaguars.

As USA Today’s Bucs Wire noted, fans are clamoring on Twitter for the Jaguars to hire Leftwich.

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