The Jacksonville Jaguars are looking to get back on track this season after a disastrous 2018, and they are hoping their new starting quarterback will help them accomplish that goal. According to veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell, the 2019 Jags will go as far as Nick Foles can take them.
In an appearance on Ian Rapoport’s “RapSheet & Friends” podcast this week, Campbell made some comments that could be interpreted as putting a ton of pressure on Foles. Or, you could simply look at it as him having massive expectations for his new teammate.
“The thing I love about this year is it really comes down to Nick Foles,” Campbell told Rapoport, as transcribed by Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com. “He’s a guy who’s over 30, has a lot of experience, won a Super Bowl MVP, but really what he brings is that confidence. He’s a natural leader. When he breaks the team huddle at the end of practice, you can see guys really hear him and that’s so important. Obviously what he can do throwing the ball is great, but what he does for the actual overall team, giving us more confidence and belief.”
The Jaguars still had one of the best defenses in football last season, but they have had a Blake Bortles problem for several years. While they were able to overcome that two years ago en route to an appearance in the AFC Championship Game, things fell apart in 2018. Campbell said Foles’ presence changes the entire mindset of the team, which should make the defense even better as well.
“Our defense is incredible, and I feel like we’re going to play so much better trying to get him the ball because we know what he’ll do with it,” he said. “You hear him speak and it’s contagious.”
If Foles plays like he did with the Philadelphia Eagles over the past two seasons, he should be perfect for the Jags. Combine that with another star player who says he’s in a much better place heading into 2019, and Jacksonville has the potential to be one of the best teams in the AFC again.
