Once ordained as the next great NFL quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence has experienced a rollercoaster first four seasons.
The 2021 No. 1 overall pick struggled with interceptions as a rookie but bounced back to earn a Pro Bowl nod and lead an epic playoff comeback in Year 2. Another INT-filled 2023 campaign was followed by an injury-plagued 2024, during which he never looked right and the offense struggled in Doug Pederson's final season.
Entering Year 5, with the weight of his big contract signed last season, Lawrence feels the urgency to get his career back on track.
"I feel like this is like getting into my prime," Lawrence told the "Pardon My Take" podcast in an interview released on Monday. "I got a lot of good years left ahead of me, and I need to really turn it on. And I think what we've built around me and what they've done this offseason has been a great start."
Through his first four campaigns, Lawrence has experienced extreme highs, going on streaks where he looks like one of the top five QBs in the game. Those moments, however, have been curtailed by turnover issues and inconsistencies from the Jags' offense. Surely, concerns with the offensive line and surrounding playmakers didn't make things easier on Lawrence, but the former No. 1 pick made his share of mental errors leading to the spiral.
The Jags' offense struggled even before Lawrence ultimately went down for the season following a concussion on Dec. 1. In 10 appearances last season, Lawrence threw for more than 300 yards just twice, while failing to breach the 200-yard mark in six contests.
Like other highly drafted quarterbacks throughout league history wallowing in poor situations, Lawrence has taken the brunt of the criticism for the Jags' mediocre results over the past several seasons. His $55 million per year contract only adds to that pressure.
Jacksonville's offseason moves, including hiring offensive mind Liam Coen, drafting Travis Hunter and upgrading the offensive line, have been aimed at bolstering Lawrence. The QB has repeatedly stated that he already enjoys the new offense, which he believes will better fit his skill set than the previous iterations in Jacksonville.
"I really feel good about the situation we're in," he said, via Pro Football Network. "I love coach Coen and the whole staff and everyone, all the guys that were brought in free agency. Just good dudes, good players, too. But I really feel like we've done some great things this offseason."
On paper, the Jags look much improved. If Coen's offense functions as it did in Tampa, we could see a swift turnabout in Duval. However, summer optimism can quickly turn into fall bitterness if things go sideways out of the gate, particularly with the highly paid quarterback.
