For the Jacksonville Jaguars, taking on the Houston Texans this season is more than just a divisional match-up. It's a chance to get revenge after the cheap shot from Azeez Al-Shaiir that took out quarterback Trevor Lawrence last season.
Al-Shaiir is known for his dirty plays and violent behavior, so that stunt caused widespread outrage far beyond just Jacksonville. He got a slap on the wrist and is still playing with the Texans, meaning Lawrence will face him again for the first time since Al-Shaiir took him out this weekend.
Lawrence made it clear that Al-Shaiir's presence is fueling him to lead the Jaguars to victory, so it's obvious that he hasn't forgotten. Head coach Liam Coen, however, is urging his team not to get caught up in seeking payback.
Besides the late hit on Lawrence, which caused a traumatic brain injury (TBI) and placed him on injured reserve, Al-Shaiir has become notorious for such behavior, including not only late hits, but also literally punching and choking other players.
Liam Coen says the Jaguars should avoid seeking revenge
"I mean, there's definitely some things on my mind about this season of, some games I want to take advantage of playing in. And that's one of them," Lawrence said about playing against the Texans. Yet Coen, in recent media remarks, said focusing on Al-Shaiir is a mistake.
"I wouldn't... you know, if that's on our minds, then we're probably thinking about the wrong things right now," he said.
Coen further said the best way Lawrence can show up Al-Shaiir is by being a great quarterback, and simply doing all he can to beat the Texans.
"The way that he can show that he's, you know... continuing to respond is in his preparation, in the way that he's surgical with his footwork, with his reads, like playing the position at a high level and continuing to get better week in and week out, mastering their defensive scheme, knowing what's going to happen, using the formations and motions to be able to undress the defense, being and playing the quarterback position at a high level and being a surgeon is how he can," Coen said of what he needs to see from Lawrence. "If he feels that way, he hasn't brought it up or anything like that. So I just think, you know, continuing to focus on him, on us, on our guys, on our execution, that's how you ultimately respond to anything."
Going into the 2025 season, the Texans were assumed to be the obvious AFC South champions. However, they have seriously struggled and are currently 0-2, with the Jaguars currently vying for the top of the division with the Indianapolis Colts.
The Jaguars lost to the Cincinnati Bengals in a close game in Week 2, while the Colts are currently 2-0. Beating the Texans would keep the Jaguars in a good position within the division, as well as get a bit of payback for what the Texans pulled last season - a win-win if there ever was one.