JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former Denver Bronco and current Jacksonville Jaguar defensive lineman Malik Jackson said he expects to win his second Super Bowl ring…. this season.
"That's what I believe and, until we lose, that's when I'll believe different," Jackson told The Simms and Lefkoe Podcast before explaining his thinking. "The Panthers did it. If the Panthers can do it after the season they had (going 7-8-1 in 2014). But we're going to win the Super Bowl. If they can do it, why can't we?"
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Jackson’s optimism starts with a young defense, stacked with the talents of pass-rusher Yannick Ngakoue, veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell and arguably one of the marque young corner duos in the NFL in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.
"I'm very confident. It truly feels different. I think it's a lot of guys coming in here and coming to Jacksonville saying, 'I'm gonna change this. I'm gonna do this. I'm gonna do that,'" Jackson said. "We have leaders. We have a lot of great players. We just need to be consistent, and that's on all three sides of the ball: offense, defense and special teams."
Jackson, as well as many across the league, think the Jags are a franchise ready to turn the corner and usher in a winning culture, and ultimately, a Lombardi Trophy.
"I think having that and being who we all are, it should be a great year. After the Super Bowl, we're going 16-0, we're going all the way," Jackson said.
It should be noted that the Jaguars haven't won a division title since 1999, and had a 3-13 record two of the past three seasons.
"Here's the thing about Malik's quote; the Jaguars are a team with a lot of talent," News4Jax Sports Director Sam Kouvaris said. "They're a 10-6 team waiting to happen, solely based on quarterback play. They have plenty of talent on the roster across the board. If Blake plays well, they'll win a lot of games."