Green Bay Packers are taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars for the first time in four years. Packers-Jaguars are not a rivalry like most NFC-AFC matchups. There are less than 10 cross-conference matchups that could be considered a rivalry. But in those types of games, people dial it up for that reason. And with multiple players and one coach that were formerly employed by Jacksonville, revenge could be on the mind. Tyler Ervin, Allen Lazard, Mercedes Lewis, and offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett are all looking to stick it to their former team.

Jacksonville is not a franchise of success in the past decade. 2018 was the only year where Jacksonville saw some real success. They haven’t been able to carry it over. Jaguars are in another rebuilding phase, but they could get one of the premier quarterbacks in football next April. They do have some talent, and in the AFC South, Jacksonville could make it a short rebuild. It has to be frustrating for their fan base though to always feel like you’re rebuilding.

As for the Packers players who were formerly Jaguars, they all have different stories. Lewis was a fan favorite in Jacksonville. First-round pick and probably a Jaguar for life. Their fans want to see him happy and he’s been thriving with the Packers. Hackett played a large role in Jacksonville’s success in the 2017-2018 season, and the following year, they let him go after a 3-8 start. Jacksonville released Ervin before last season, and part of the reason he got brought in was due to the connection between Ervin and Hackett.

The one Jacksonville might want to have back is Lazard. They picked him up as an undrafted free agent after the NFL Draft. Lazard played all summer with Jacksonville and also the entire preseason. But he did not make the final roster. Green Bay would scoop him up later that year and the rest is history, my friends. While Jaguars have some talented young wideouts, Lazard would add to their success.

Don’t be surprised if these three guys plus coach Hackett play with more piss and vinegar out there.

Charlie.