Pressure is mounting for Trevor Lawrence to deliver next season. The first overall pick in 2021 is coming off a pair of underwhelming years and must prove that he's the long-term answer behind center for the Jacksonville Jaguars. An NFL analyst believes he'll meet expectations.
Alan Goldsher of Sports Illustrated drew up a list of NFL quarterbacks in a position to bounce back next season, and included Lawrence, pointing out that the fifth-year quarterback has proven he can play at a high level. He then added that an upgraded supporting cast could help the fifth-year quarterback turn the corner in 2025.
"Coming out of Clemson, Lawrence was believed to be a generational quarterback, the second coming of peak Andrew Luck," Goldsher wrote. "While the flaxen-haired general hasn't been anything close to generational, he's had his statistical moments, racking up a 95.2 QBR in 2022, good for tenth in the league."
Goldsher continued, "Lawrence's 2024 QBR was 85.2, his worst since his 2021 rookie season, but here in 2025, he boasts one of the scarier wide receiver trios in the league: Brian Thomas Jr., Travis Hunter, and Dyami Brown, a group that could make even today's 63-year old Dan Marino look good."
Now, Lawrence didn't choose the generational talent label and had no control over getting it, so you can't blame him for not meeting the expectation of playing at an Andrew Luck level. With that out of the way, the former Clemson Tiger showed in 2022 that he can play at a top-10 level when he gets a bit of help. That year, he threw passes to a healthy Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Marvin Jones Jr., and Evan Engram. Moreover, his offensive line was relatively competent.
When you add it all up, Lawrence put together the best stretch of his career and even helped the Jags rally from a 27-point deficit to beat the Los Angeles Chargers in the divisional round of the playoffs. Of course, you must also take the past two seasons into account when assessing his performance.
Lawrence has been inconsistent dating back to 2023. Granted, his supporting cast has been underwhelming and injuries have prevented him from hitting his stride. Having said that, he must take responsibility as well. His mechanics and decision-making were far from great last year. He needs to polish both areas if he wants to bounce back next season. Staying healthy would go a long way too.
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The Jaguars are giving Trevor Lawrence everything he needs to come through
Trevor Lawrence's recovery from an AC sprain is going well. Barring any unexpected setbacks, he should be ready for the opener. And that's the thing, he'll need to stay healthy if he wants to take advantage of everything the Jacksonville Jaguars have done for him in the offseason.
The organization fired Doug Pederson and brought in Liam Coen as the head coach. During his lone season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he helped Baker Mayfield post career numbers. He's expected to have a similar impact for Lawrence.
Also helping No. 16 is that the Jags signed Dyami Brown and later drafted Travis Hunter in the offseason. The duo joined a wide receiver corps that already included budding star Brian Thomas Jr. Couple that with the moves the team's brass made to beef up the offensive line, and Lawrence is in a position to once again join the top-10 quarterback conversation in 2025.
Simply put, the Jaguars have done everything they can to help Lawrence. He must now live up to his end of the bargain.
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