Jaguars HC Doug Pederson explains why Trevor Lawrence will make leap

All eyes are on Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence ahead of the 2022 NFL season and rightfully so. After having an underwhelming rookie campaign, the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft is expected to improve considerably in Year 2. Head coach Doug Pederson recently met with the media and explained why the Jags believe Lawrence will make a leap.

Pederson notes that Lawrence has been receptive to coaching and constructive criticism and adds that he’s made important strides over the last few months.

“It’s just down to the player, who the player is, and how willing he is to take the coaching, take the criticism, take the good, the bad, and work on his craft”, Pederson said. “In this case with Trevor, that’s what we’ve seen from all the way back in the spring and just the improvements he’s made from OTAs in May, in June to now are tremendous. Those are the things you build on, and just keep him headed in the right direction, no setbacks and just keep plugging away and working hard”.

Even though it was a limited sample, Lawrence showed improvement in the preseason, going 20-of-33 for 228 yards with one touchdown. Moreover, he averaged nearly one more yard per attempt (6.9) than last year (6.0). Last season, the former Clemson Tiger completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 3,649 yards with 12 touchdowns and a league-high 17 interceptions.

Here’s Pederson’s whole exchange with the media. His remarks about the sophomore quarterback start at the 6:22 mark:

The Jaguars are taking the right approach with Trevor Lawrence

During the draft process and throughout the 2021 season, Lawrence showed he had the mental maturity to face all the challenges that come with being a franchise quarterback. With a competent head coach in place, one that knows how to untap his potential, and a better surrounding cast, Lawrence is in a position to succeed.

Looking at how things have played out, both the Jaguars’ brass and the quarterback deserve credit fort the growth he’s experienced this year. General manager Trent Baalke has done a good job of replenishing the roster with talent. Similarly, the organization got it right when they hired a head coach that could get the most out of all his players.

Then, there’s Lawrence, who’s fully embraced his role as the face of the franchise. You could argue that it’s too early to call him a franchise quarterback, and sure, he needs to show it on the football field, but he’s carrying himself like one, and that’s key if you want to become one.

The Jaguars have yet to play a game in the 2022 season but they’ve done everything they needed to improve, so it wouldn’t be shocking to see them fare better than expected.