Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence entered his career with quite a bit of hype. He was considered a generational prospect as he was the No. 1 player in his recruiting class and never lost a game during the regular season as a three-year starter at Clemson.
When Jacksonville made him the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, he immediately became the best passing prospect the franchise has ever landed, and though his rookie season has had good and bad moments, the good has vastly outweighed the bad.
He’s improving quickly, and there is a strong argument to be made that he has been the most impressive rookie quarterback so far. However, he plays on a team that’s struggling tremendously, and that could impact his chances of bringing home some hardware.
In the latest Offensive Rookie of the Year odds from Tipico Sportsbook, Lawrence has the third-best odds at +750. Only two players currently sit ahead of him: Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase (+105) and New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (+425).
While Jones has arguably been better than Lawrence this season, he’s been asked to do a lot less and is surrounded by more talent. Chase, however, has to be the early favorite for Offensive Rookie of the Year. That pick was panned by many who thought the team should have drafted offensive tackle Penei Sewell instead, but Chase has fundamentally transformed the Cincinnati offense.
Chase already has 754 yards and six touchdowns on the season, and his reunion with quarterback Joe Burrow has gone as well as the franchise could have hoped. Chasing Chase will likely require a phenomenal close to the season for Lawrence, but given his rapid improvement, it isn’t out of the question.