Could Trevor Lawrence rebuff the New York Jets like Peyton Manning did in 1997?

Trevor Lawrence is presumably the projected number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Incumbent Jets starter, Sam Darnold has yet to play a full season and hasn’t looked like a franchise quarterback. There is a chance that New York will opt to take Lawrence and move on from Darnold. The only catch is that Lawrence could opt to return for his senior season at Clemson, Trevor has even hinted at the possibility. The New York Jets are all too familiar with a top quarterback prospect opting to return for his senior season.

Flashback to 1997; Bill Parcells was hired and New York owned the number one pick in that draft. It was presumed that Manning would skip his senior season. However, despite the Jets having to compensate New England with draft picks for Parcells. They didn’t have to give up the number one choice. Jets fans were in a frenzy as a dream situation was about to unfold.

However, the Jets didn’t end up getting the opportunity to take him. Manning ultimately. decided to return for his senior season and the rest is history. Consequently, New York is still on an endless quest to find Joe Namath’s replacement.

Comeback to 2020, New York could find themselves in a similar situation as they were in 1997. Like the 1996 season, the Jets are a disaster this year, they need a quarterback; a flashy name could be the new head coach and Trevor Lawrence like Manning is a generational talent and is mulling over whether to turn pro early.

If things continue this way, the Jets will most likely own the number one pick and a generational talent might be available. The Jets have never had the good fortune of getting generational talents. History has a way of repeating itself. Time will tell if Trevor Lawrence ultimately decides to spend his senior season at Clemson or go to the NFL a year early. With this in mind, the Jets had better hope they are on the right side of history this time.

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