NFL analyst discusses glaring flaw in the 2024 Jaguars' roster building

The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2024 season with high expectations, and it's easy to see why. They made several moves in free agency and came up just inches short of making the playoffs the year prior. However, the Jags also had several flaws, and all of them were exposed at some point. Just recently, an NFL analyst talked about the biggest one.

Dan Pizzuta of The 33rd Team made an appearance on 1010 XL and talked about Jackosnville's reliance on Trevor Lawrence, pointing out that he had to be nearly perfect to give his team a shot at winning, and how new head coach Liam Coen will need to change that.

"Well, I think what he did last year with Tampa Bay, the one and for what just kind of the way he made Baker's job easier," Pizzuta said. "I think that was what was missing so much in Jacksonville, where I think they saw Trevor Lawrence and went, 'Oh, you're very good at all of this stuff, we're gonna put all of this on your plate.' And there was no margin for error in so much of what Trevor Lawrence did over the past couple years."

Pizzuta continued, "If he was not perfect, this offense was not functioning. And you know, that is an expectation you can put on a quarterback, but it's very hard for any quarterback to have that kind of down in, down out, like he did. So, taking the load off of him is then going to make him better and I think that's kind of going to be what the Liam Cohen, offense, really is which I think is something to be optimistic about if you are a Jags fan looking at what the ceiling could potentially be for this offense."

Lawrence showed progress in 2022 and 2023 but seemed to have a step back last year. That was because he was getting inadequate coaching and the playcalling was subpar. Granted, his decision-making and mechanics weren't always the best, but as Pizzuta stated, No. 16 had too much pressure on his shoulders and the team's brass failed to give him enough help.

Not surprisingly, head coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke were given the boot after the 2024 season. To replace them, the Jags hired Liam Coen and James Gladstone, respectively.

Baker Mayfield had a career year with Coen as his offensive coordinator last year. Similarly, the Tampa Bay running game experienced a massive improvement, going from the worst in the league in 2023 to a top 5 unit last season. Now the new head coach in Jacksonville, he's expected to have a similar impact for Lawrence.

On the other hand, Gladstone has been busy trying to build a better roster, one that doesn't depend so much on Lawrence. Below are Pizzuta's remarks about the former Clemson Tiger.

The Jaguars must need to put Trevor Lawrence in a position to succeed

One of Trent Baalke's biggest mistakes was failing to build a competitive roster. Sure, he brought in several players, but the Jacksonville Jaguars always had flaws when he was at the helm. That that played a role in his dismissal was his inability to put together a good offensive line. Under Baalke's watch, the group underwent turnover on a yearly basis and routinely struggled to protect Trevor Lawrence and open lanes in the running game.

On the other hand, Doug Pederson delegated Lawrence's development to right-hand man Press Taylor with underwhelming results. Once the head coach said that it wasn't working, he should've taken the reins but instead doubled down on his decision, and their franchise quarterback ended up paying the price.

The silver lining is that the regime is aware that to get the most out of Trevor Lawrence, they need to put him in a position to succeed. That's why their offseason has revolved around helping him, and if they do enough, nobody will bat an eye if he once again plays like he did in 2022 and leads them to a deep playoff run... precisely like he did that year.

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