After leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs in 2022, it looked like Trevor Lawrence was close to joining the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks. However, he's failed to make the leap and is now entering a pivotal season. Working in his favor is that the Jags have done plenty of things to ensure his success. But if he comes up short, he will be at risk of getting an undesirable distinction that players actively avoid.
Cody Benjamin drew up a list of nine players who are on bust alert and included Lawrence, arguing that the fifth-year quarterback has to prove the team's vote of confidence in him is warranted.
"Technically speaking, Lawrence has all the Jacksonville Jaguars' trust, inking a massive $275 million contract extension prior to 2024," Benjamin wrote. "He's already on his third head coach, however, which speaks as much to his uneven growth as a team's greater dysfunction. The tools are there, but Lawrence enters 2025 as the league's leader in turnovers (68) since he stepped onto an NFL field. After also missing seven games in 2024, he's got to prove both his availability and reliability under new play-caller Liam Coen."
Lawrence indeed has the Jags' trust. Owner Shad Khan has made it clear he's committed to the quarterback, while the new regime has built around him in the offseason. On top of that, head coach Liam Coen has publicly shown nothing but support. Heck, if he wanted to, he could call out at any point in the offseason like he did with right tackle Anton Harrison. But so far, that hasn't been the case.
On the other hand, Lawrence must bounce back. It wasn't that he was bad the past two years, but he wasn't nearly as productive as he showed he could be in 2022. While inadequate coaching and injuries have held him back, he's responsible for his high turnover rate. Even before he hurt his shoulder last year, the former Clemson Tiger struggled. In particular, his decision-making and fundamentals weren't great. The good news is that he's in a position to bounce back.
Doubts about Trevor Lawrence's future with the Jaguars will surface if he doesn't deliver
The Jacksonville Jaguars fortified the offensive line and the wide receiver corps, so Trevor Lawrence will have optimal protection and a wide array of weapons next season. But if he fails to get back on track or once again deals with injuries, questions about his viability as a starting quarterback beyond 2025 will arise.
The talent is there. It's always been. But at some point, Lawrence must turn that potential into production, and he hasn't been able to do it, at least not on a consistent basis, so far. There have been flashes here and there, and the team's dearth of talent hasn't certainly helped, but there's a point at which players run out of excuses and must deliver.
That hasn't been Lawrence's case so far. And again, he's been in less than ideal circumstances last year, but that's precisely why the new regime is making a strong effort to ensure he has everything he needs to succeed. Moreover, they made a heavy investment in him when they gave him that long-term extension in 2024.
Now, Lawrence must do his part. If he fails, he may not necessarily get the bust label, but he could be perpetually known as the quarterback that had all the talent in the world but wasn't able to come through for the Jaguars.
Here are other Jaguars stories you may also like: