I get the sentiment about feeling like this is rock bottom given the clown show that was put on this year, but I'd argue that there is much more to be optimistic about regarding our situation than there was in 2012/2013. There is talent on this roster. Do not forget that key assets that were expected to contribute significantly this year were injured early on (Etienne, Chark). Also, despite a disappointing rookie campaign for Trevor, my faith in him being "the guy" is unwavering at this time. He stands tall in the pocket and goes through his progressions which is what is required for a QB to have a long successful career. He's not elite yet. He's not able to throw guys open yet. He just doesn't have anything of note around him yet to help. He will be better next year and he'll have weapons next year. Those two things combined should mean a huge leap for him.

We also likely have the number 1 pick again and 1st pick in each round which means either a windfall of picks in a trade back scenario or another hopefully very good player at 1. We also have extra picks next year. We also have plenty of cap space. This is an attractive situation for a GM and a coach. Our owner is generally patient. His hand was forced this year because of the circumstances and frequency of instances, but his generally patient nature is attractive to GM and Head Coach candidates. Conversely, at the end of the Gene Smith era, we had very little talent. Guys that started for us would not start on other rosters with very few exceptions. Despite that, the number 1 pick eluded us and even though we often had a top 5 or top 10 pick, in retrospect the pick was often awful due to poor scouting or poor GM analysis/board building or both. This was not an attractive situation at the time versus other vacancies (i.e. Kansas City).

I think the level of optimism that still exists for me makes this not a rock bottom situation. If you feel like you have your QB, and I still strongly do, it can't be rock bottom. Rock bottom would be never picking high enough to get your guy while wallowing at the bottom of the league for years, then finally getting your "guy" at 3 and committing to him way longer than you should have when it was plain as day he wasn't an NFL starting caliber quarterback (he was left handed, but threw with his right? And you knew this? GTFOOH) and then missing out on Mahomes, Watson (even with his off the field issues), Jackson and probably others that you did have the opportunity to draft. Rock bottom from here would be Trevor sustaining a career threatening injury or wanting out.

In short, the Jaguars GM/HC vacancies are attractive and probably the most attractive in the league this offseason. We can't screw it up this time. I'm presuming Baalke is gone at the end of the year, but keeping him would very likely be screwing it up. I think Trevor realizes he has enough clout to request to be involved in the process which is what I'm presuming his request to meet with Khan 1 on 1 is about. I think there are still more positives for our current situation than there were at the end of 2012 which makes 2012 closer to rock bottom than where we are now. Barring catastrophic injury to Trevor, significantly brighter days for Jaguar fans are coming next year, I promise you.

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