LAMM AT LARGE: ’22 playoffs confirm NFL a QB league

How important is it to have an elite quarterback in the NFL? Or at least a franchise quarterback?

Look no further than this year’s remaining playoff teams.

Of the eight teams, two have the locks for the Hall of Fame, the Bucs’ Tom Brady and the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. Three have quarterbacks on the fast track to the Hall, the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes, the Bills’ Josh Allen and the Bengals’ Joe Burrow. The Titans’ Ryan Tannehill is an above average signal-caller.

Teams need to be able to block, catch and run. They need to rush the QB, tackle and defend the pass. But without an outstanding man under center, nothing else matters when it comes to winning championships.

That’s why everything the Jaguars do now — hiring a new coach and staff, signing free agents and drafting — should all be done with Trevor Lawrence in mind. If the Jaguars are to crawl out of the cellar and become a playoff team, it will be Lawrence as the driver.

As goes Trevor, so go the Jaguars.