The Jacksonville Jaguars actually reached the AFC Championship Game in 2017.
But since then, it has been all downhill.
They went 5-11 in 2018, 6-10 in 2019, and 1-15 in 2020.
That 1-15 record earned them the number one overall pick, which they used to select former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence, coupled with new head coach Urban Meyer, was expected to bring some excitement to Jacksonville.
Meyer even recently named Lawrence the Jags’ Week 1 starter.
Jaguars coach Urban Meyer names Trevor Lawrence the starter for 2021.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) August 25, 2021
But so far, Jacksonville hasn’t gotten out to the 2021 start many fans had been hoping for.
They lost their Week 1 preseason game to the Cleveland Browns, 23-13, before falling to the New Orleans Saints, 23-21.
With Lawrence and Meyer in tow, the Jaguars will be more watchable than they have been in past seasons.
However, due to problems on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, Jacksonville’s 2021 season will be a long one with not many wins on the record book.
Offense
Lawrence comes into the NFL as one of the most polished quarterbacks in recent draft history.
He completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 10,098 yards, 90 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions in three years at Clemson.
While he has All-Pro potential in the league and is undoubtedly the Jaguars quarterback of the future, he hasn’t necessarily lit up the preseason.
Against the Browns, Lawrence completed six-of-nine passes for 71 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
Against the Saints, he completed 14-of-23 passes for 113 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions.
He averaged just 4.9 yards per pass.
It’s just two preseason games and with Lawrence being named the starter, he has plenty of time to figure it out.
However, he will have to do it without fellow first-round pick Travis Etienne, who the Jaguars selected No. 25 overall.
The running back suffered a foot injury against the Saints and will miss the entire season.
Jaguars officially placed RB Travis Etienne Jr. on injured reserve.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 24, 2021
Lawrence does have sophomore running back James Robinson, who rushed for 1,070 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie.
The former undrafted free agent has a lot of potential, but losing Etienne is a big blow to Jacksonville’s passing game.
Last season, the Jaguars let up 44 total sacks.
That was tied for fourth-highest in the league.
They did draft former Stanford tackle Walker Little in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
However, the Jaguars will need to take a big step forward in keeping Lawrence upright.
The number one overall pick is a huge step toward making Jacksonville’s offense formidable again.
But between preseason struggles and Etienne’s injury, it might take longer than Jags fans were hoping for.
Defense
Last season, the Jaguars defense ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 6,683 yards.
Their passing defense ranked 27th (4,231 yards allowed) while their run defense ranked 30th (2,452 yards allowed).
The 492 points allowed was second-highest in the league while their turnover differential of -8 ranked 26th.
Jacksonville did all of this with linebacker Joe Schobert.
Schobert finished fourth in the NFL with 141 total tackles last season.
But the Jaguars decided to trade the star linebacker to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round pick.
Apparently, Meyer didn’t like Schobert’s “laid back” personality.
Joe Schobert's laid-back personality may have factored into trade to #Steelers. @TimBenzPGH and @JStCyrTV discuss. https://t.co/XIx4sC8pRx
— Tribune-ReviewSports (@TribSports) August 18, 2021
The Jags still have young, talented players such as Myles Jack, Josh Allen, and CJ Henderson.
They drafted cornerback Tyson Campbell in the second round and safety Andre Cisco in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
But Jacksonville’s defense is still a far cry of what it was when they reached the AFC Championship Game in 2017.
Throughout the preseason, the Jaguars have started their first-team defense in both games.
They allowed 13 points in the first half, against Cleveland’s backups in Week 1, before allowing 14 points in the first quarter to the Saints.
With Lawrence, the Jaguars have an offensive piece to build around in the future.
And while they do have some talent defensively, there is not enough for Jacksonville to take a major step up in 2021.
NEXT: Jaguars Finally Name Trevor Lawrence As Starting Quarterback