After a handful of inconsistent seasons, the Jacksonville Jaguars watched Trevor Lawrence flourish in 2025. Understandably, the former Clemson Tiger is expected to keep improving in his second year under head coach Liam Coen. Based on the early signs, he's trending in the right direction.
Although Lawrence has missed a few throws throughout the offseason program, he's also showcased a better connection with Brian Thomas Jr. When you factor in that No. 16 has a stronger grasp of Coen's scheme, nobody will bat an eye if he joins the MVP conversation at some point in 2026. In fact, an NFL analyst already believes he'll be a dark horse candidate.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence is named a dark horse in the MVP race
Brad Gagnon drew up a list of dark-horse MVP candidates for 2026. He included Trevor Lawrence, noting that the sixth-year quarterback could be a long shot because he has never earned a first or second-team All-Pro designation or crossed the 30-touchdown-pass mark.
"The 26-year-old has been a Pro Bowler just once in five seasons and has never come close to earning first- or second-team All-Pro honors," Gagnon wrote. "He's never had a 30-touchdown-pass campaign, and he's lacked consistency for the vast majority of his career."
On the other hand, Gagnon laid the case for Lawrence to win the award, citing the fact that the 2021 first overall pick will enjoy much-needed continuity under Liam Coen.
"Lawrence certainly hast he talent as a No. 1 overall pick who should be entering his prime, and he seemed to finally find a sustained groove in Liam Coen's new offense last season," Gagnon said.
This isn't the first time Lawrence has been dubbed a potential MVP candidate this offseason, and the consistency part is probably the biggest reason Lawrence will be part of the conversation.
Although Lawrence enjoyed a surge in Doug Pederson's first season in Duval, Pederson eventually delegated his development to right-hand man Press Taylor. This had a negative effect on his performance down the road. Coen won't make the same mistake and will be actively involved in his quarterback's progress.
It's also worth noting that Lawrence's somewhat slow start to 2025 was due in part to the fact that Coen's scheme was more complex than any he's been in his career. Once he got a better hold of it, he broke out, completing over 60 percent of his passes and throwing 15 touchdowns with just one pick the final six games.
The Jaguars could field a legitimate MVP candidate in Trevor Lawrence
Aside from his mastery of the Liam Coen offense, Trevor Lawrence has a few other things going in his favor to be an MVP candidate.
Unlike the past two years, Lawrence isn't recovering from injuries he suffered the year prior. That's allowed him to focus on mastering the offensive scheme. Similarly, he's not tweaking his footwork or throwing motion. That also allows him to focus on getting better. But wait, there's more.
Lawrence will have what's arguably the best supporting cast of his career. Travis Hunter, Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Parker Washington give him four options in the passing game. Tight end Brenton Strange will give him another. And if the running game clicks, opposing defenses will have to pick their poison.
When you add it all up, the Jaguars have laid out the perfect conditions for Trevor Lawrence to make an MVP run next season.
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