The Jacksonville Jaguars were among the 10 NFL teams that voted against banning the Tush Push. Maybe they had an intriguing reason to keep it around, and it has to do with how head coach Liam Coen plans to fully unlock Trevor Lawrence next season.
Lawrence is expected to improve under Coen. Last season, his decision-making and mechanics took a hit. The new Jaguars head coach should help him improve in both areas. But aside from turning him into a top-notch passer, he could also turn No. 16 into a goal-line threat.
As the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, Coen helped quarterback Baker Mayfield post career highs in several categories and tied several personal records. One that isn't discussed much is rushing touchdowns in a season.
Mayfield, the first overall pick in the 2018 draft, logged three rushing touchdowns last year, tying the personal best of three he registered in his sophomore campaign. This is telling because the former Oklahoma Sooner has 10 career rushing touchdowns. Between 2020 and 2023, he only had four.
Sure, it's too early to tell how the Jaguars offense will look in 2025, but don't be surprised if Lawrence plays a bigger role in short-yard situations, something former head coach Doug Pederson wasn't generally thrilled about, and his predecessor, Urban Meyer, was fully opposed to.
Then again, it's a bit surprising that neither Pederson nor Meyer made it an integral part of Lawrence's game. After all, he routinely took off at Clemson, his mobility is one of his skills that isn't discussed nearly enough.
Why the Jaguars could use Trevor Lawrence on short-yard situations in 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars wouldn't outright use the Tush Push, but Liam Coen is creative enough to make you think that he could come up with his own version with its own wrinkles. Of course, the play would require Trevor Lawrence to pull off a quarterback sneak, but that's not the only element that would make it work.
Aside from a quarterback that's not afraid to fight for a tough yard, you need an offensive line that can hold onto their blocks and contain the defense. Last season, the Jags were pushed around the line of scrimmage. Realizing that making upgrades to the trenches was a priority in the offseason, the front office signed two starters and added a pair of depth pieces in free agency.
Then in the draft, Jacksonville selected Wyatt Milum (a third potential starter), and another potential backup. This is a long-winded way to say that the Jaguars have the pieces in place to grind out the tough yards next season.
Sure, Lawrence will mostly rely on his arm to win games, but when the Jaguars need him to gain a yard on a shot-yard situation, Liam Coen won't hesitate to dial up his number.
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