Why Jimmy Smith Thinks the Jaguars' Recent Success Could Help Bolster Hall of Fame Cases

Could Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith get a boost in Hall of Fame pushes thanks to the Jaguars turning things around on the field?

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jimmy Smith has been a preliminary nominee for the Pro Football Hall of Fame 10 times.

Now, he hopes the Jaguars' turnaround on the field can help him get over the hump.

Speaking with Jaguars Today on 1010 XL/92.5 FM, Smith noted that the Jaguars' playoff run in 2022 and the optimism surrounding  the franchise could help him and Fred Taylor pave a way to join Tony Boselli in the Hall of Fame.

Former Jaguar @JimmySmithJags joined #JaguarsToday and spoke on how the #Jaguars winning helps former Jaguars get into the Hall of Fame pic.twitter.com/geFVethKEq

— 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) July 5, 2023

"This team winning right now, it helps bring so much attention to our franchise, what we did back in the day," Smith said. 

"Just like we're talking about, these Hall of Fame conversations. When we don't win, there's very little Hall of Fame conversation about, you know, me, Fred and Tony. But while we're winning , we see the conversations pick up. So we have noticed that so, obviously, you know, I'm pulling for my team to get to this Super Bowl."

During Smith's epic run with the Jaguars, he made five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1997-2001 and led the NFL at that time with a combined 479 catches and 6,728 yards, along with 34 touchdown catches.

In total, Smith ended his career holding essentially every major Jaguars receiving record and as of today he is No. 51 all-time in career receiving touchdowns (67), No. 24 in receptions (862), No. 24 in receiving yards (12,287), No. 10 in yards per reception (16.1) and No. 23 in receiving yards per game (22). 

Smith has been on the outside looking in when it comes to Hall of Fame discussions in recent years, while Taylor has been named a semifinalist but has yet to be a finalist like Boselli was for several years.

With the Jaguars now looking like a winning franchise after a decade of losing, perhaps Smith and Taylor can now gain the momentum that has otherwise evaded them. Smith was a Hall of Fame-caliber player, and a winning Jaguars team could mean he finally gets his due.