The closer we get to the 2026 season, the more it seems like people are starting to believe in the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Even after a 13-win campaign a season ago, most analysts have spent months excluding the Jaguars from their lists of teams believed to be true Super Bowl contenders.

Most pundits gave Jacksonville horrible grades for its offseason, questioning the decision to replace departing running back Travis Etienne with in-house, second-year back Bhayshul Tuten and free agent Chris Rodriguez Jr., who signed as a free agent after spending his first three seasons with the Washington Commanders.

Jacksonville's draft was also heavily criticized. Already without a first-round pick after last year's trade-up for Travis Hunter, the Jaguars were knocked for "reaching" for many of their draft picks. Though the organization was thrilled with its selections, very few of Jacksonville's draft class looked like they would be impact players as rookies.

The consensus was that the Jaguars missed several opportunities to improve a team that won 13 games in 2025 and may prove to be a one-year wonder.

However, head coach Liam Coen and general manager James Gladstone had a plan, and outside criticism would not force them to deviate from it.

Much of that plan centers around expecting huge improvements from multiple star players who had disappointing seasons a year ago. Wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. is looking to rebound after a decline that was hard to understand. Two-way phenom Hunter, whom the Jaguars drafted second overall and expected to become an immediate superstar, experienced more rookie pains than was hoped for until a knee injury ended his season after only seven games.

Edge rusher Travon Walker, coming off back-to-back years of double-digit sacks, played through nagging injuries all season, limiting him to only 3.5 sacks.

So far, that plan looks like it is working. BTJ has looked great all offseason. Walker is healthy again and looking to form the NFL's best pass-rushing duo with Josh Hines-Allen.

Hunter is also healthy. Though his primary responsibility has switched from WR to cornerback, he has All-Pro talent at both positions and should provide a massive boost to the offense and defense.

Now that folks have gotten to see the team's plan in action, belief in the Jaguars has started to grow.

Jeff Howe of The Athletic has already admitted that Jacksonville's projected win total of nine is too low. Now, another prominent analyst is jumping onto the Jaguars' bandwagon.

Chris Simms of NBC Sports, the son of Hall of Fame quarterback Phil Simms, believes  Jacksonville has what it takes to reach the Super Bowl.

In a tweet shared by Brett James, Simms gave his opinion on the Jaguars.

“People are sleeping on the Jaguars. They are a Super Bowl football team.”

Short, sweet, and to the point. I like it.

The Jaguars have Super Bowl talent spread all over their roster. 

Trevor Lawrence is an MVP-candidate quarterback. Hunter is one of the most unique and special talents in the league. Thomas leads an incredibly impressive and deep group of WRs, including Parker Washington, who is emerging into a star.

The defense was best in the NFL against the run last year. Now it is adding Hunter as a full-time cornerback and will have a healthy Walker to pair with Hines-Allen, who is one of the NFL's best players.

Coen is only entering his second year as a head coach. He still has plenty of room to grow, though he is already one of the best play-callers in the league.

The offense, now with a year of experience in Coen's system under its belt, is likely to take another huge step forward this season.

Oh, and Etienne's much-doubted replacements, Tuten and Rodriguez, have looked pretty impressive so far. Tuten has looked like a potential star since OTAs, while Rodriguez has brought his physicality and power-running game to Jacksonville's backfield since he returned from injury during training camp.

It may have taken too long, but the Jaguars are finally starting to earn some of the respect and hype they deserve for the upcoming season.

The vibes surrounding this team have been positive and fun since OTAs began months ago.

There are only a couple more weeks until the Jaguars can start proving Chris Simms right and all their doubters wrong.