3 reasons Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence will have a breakout year in 2022

The Jacksonville Jaguars are counting on several players to help them win games in 2022. However, none will have a bigger role in their success or lack thereof than quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who’s expected to make a leap in Year 2.

Dubbed a generational talent ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence struggled as a rookie, completing 59.6 percent of his throws for 3,641 with 12 touchdowns and 17 touchdowns. That’s certainly not the kind of output you expect from the first overall pick but it’s important to note that the Jaguars’ didn’t put him in a position to succeed.

Besides not getting Lawrence enough weapons on offense, Urban Meyer had several missteps when it came to the young passer’s development. On the bright side, Meyer is gone and there seems to be a plan in place to squeeze every ounce of talent out of the former Clemson Tiger. With that in mind, here are three reasons Lawrence will have a breakout season in 2022.

3. The Jaguars defense will take pressure off Trevor Lawrence’s shoulders

The 2021 season is one the Jaguars would surely like to forget. Not only did they have a hard time moving the ball and scoring points but they also struggled to stop opposing offenses from reaching their end zone.

Sure, the Jags’ offense deserves blame for not being able to put points on the scoreboard but the defense was at fault too, since their inability to stop teams from scoring put the onus on the offense to catch up. Fortunately, the team’s brass realized that their defense needed improvements and made upgrades to most position groups on the side of the ball in the offseason.

Besides using the No. 1 pick in this year’s draft on edge defender Travon Walker, the Jags revamped their linebacker corps, and beefed up their defensive front with the addition of Arden Key and Folorunso Fatukasi in free agency. Furthermore, they rounded out their cornerback group with the signing of Darious Williams.

Although Lawrence has better weapons (more on that later), he won’t be asked to score 40 points and single-handedly win games. He won’t have to if the defense can make enough stops and double their turnover totals from last year.