​It looks like Trevor Lawrence is finally earning national media respect. After guiding the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 13-4 record and the AFC South title in 2025, Lawrence appears to be the player the Jaguars imagined when they drafted him first overall in 2021. He delivered particularly strong performances in the second half of the season, sparking an eight-game winning streak to close the regular season and earning his first MVP finalist recognition.
In a recent ranking from CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo, Lawrence was placed into Tier 2, “Borderline Stars,” rather than among the top tier. DeArdo organized quarterbacks into six tiers rather than a straight 1-32 ranking. The top tier, “Transcendent Stars,” includes reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and AFC North QBs Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow. These players are widely viewed as being ahead of Lawrence, given Stafford’s MVP/Super Bowl résumé, Mahomes’ multiple Super Bowl appearances and MVPs, Jackson’s two MVPs, and Burrow’s 2024 league-leading yardage and touchdowns along with a Super Bowl appearance.
Lawrence sits in Tier 2, which contains 12 quarterbacks. The piece argues he may have the most upside in that tier, especially given the favorable trajectory after a rocky start to his career and the constant coaching changes he endured in Jacksonville. He’s expected to have a new group of pass catchers and an improved offensive line, though he will no longer have Travis Etienne Jr. by his side.
The takeaway is that Lawrence’s late-2025 surge demonstrated the immense talent that made him a top quarterback prospect, comparable to the league’s elite. With the right development and support, he could reach an even higher level in 2026 and potentially lead Jacksonville to its first-ever Super Bowl. The article suggests Lawrence’s 2026 season could be special, further cementing his status as a true NFL superstar.