Trevor Lawrence on potential long-term rivalry with C.J. Stroud: 'I want teams in our division to be as bad as possible'

Trevor Lawrence entered the 2023 campaign as the clear top quarterback in the AFC South. It might not be such an obvious argument moving forward.

C.J. Stroud has been a sensation in Houston, again displaying masterful pocket manipulation and accuracy Sunday against Jacksonville. Lawrence and the Jaguars made enough plays to escape with a 24-21 win, but if Week 12 was any indication, we could see an array of entertaining games from the two clubs in the future.

When questioned about a possible enduring rivalry, Lawrence joked that he would prefer if his division opponents were terrible.

“I want teams in our division to be as bad as possible,” he said, chuckling, via the team’s official website. “That’s how I see it. The way they’re playing, it’s exciting, yes. There’s gonna be some, I’m sure, great matchups down the road. And C.J. is playing lights out. He’s doing a great job. To be a rookie and to play how he is, I’ve got a lot of respect for him. I know how hard it is. I’ve been in that position. He’s doing a great job and it’s going to be fun for years to come, hopefully. But no, I wouldn’t prefer that. I’d prefer if the guys in our division didn’t have good quarterbacks. It would be better for us.”

Lawrence isn’t incorrect. The less resistance faced annually to get to the postseason, the higher the likelihood of clinching a Lombardi at the year’s end. The New England team reaped the benefits of competing against a lackluster AFC East for many years during their reign.

Jacksonville seems to be out of luck as they are no longer facing subpar quarterbacks. Stroud has been exceptional, showcasing skills like pocket presence, accuracy, and intelligence, suggesting his success isn’t just beginner’s luck. His performances are replicable.

It’s not just Stroud the Jags might have to deal with in the division. Anthony Richardson flashed extreme upside in limited action in Indianapolis this season and would be a force if he remains healthy. In Tennessee, Will Levis showed promise with a big arm and willingness to stand under pressure.

Jacksonville’s advantage is that while the rest of the division is still assessing their rookie QBs, the Jags are confident in Lawrence’s abilities. Following a season-high of 364 passing yards from Lawrence in the victory, the Jags have the potential to compete well into January, provided they can enhance their consistency both offensively and defensively in the remaining games.