Jaguars vs. Buccaneers: Is Trevor Lawrence playing in preseason Week 2?

The preseason gives players the chance to hone their skills and build rapport with their teammates. On the other hand, they run the risk of getting hurt the longer they stay on the field. This is why you'll see the starters play a handful of series or outright sit out the matchup. In the case of the Jacksonville Jaguars, they just gave Trevor Lawrence a $275 million contract and will be looking to protect their investment.

Lawrence attempted four passes and scored a touchdown in the 26-13 win over the Kansas City City Chiefs in the preseason opener. Having seen enough, the coaching staff pulled him from the game and plugged C.J. Beathard in. Mac Jones then took the field in the second half. This begs the question, how much time will No. 16 see when the Jags take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?

Update: Mac Jones will get the start, according to team reporter Kainani Stevens. On a related note, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., right tackle Anton Harrison and left guard Ezra Cleveland will get limited playing time.

Will Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence play vs. the Buccaneers?

No, Trevor Lawrence won't be suiting up for the Jags in Week 2 of the preseason. Head coach Doug Pederson made it clear in his latest exchange with the local media. Leaving aside that the team's brass wants to (rightly) minimize his exposure to injuries, they want to also see what they have in C.J. Beathard and Mac Jones, both of whom are competing for the backup job at quarterback.

Pederson says that he'd want to see Jones and Beathard play a half each but refused to say who will go first," I haven't decided who's going to start yet but trying to get them both at least a half if I can."

Mac Jones and CJ Beathard will get extended playing time vs. the Buccaneers

Beathard, a third-round pick in the 2017 draft, signed with the Jags in 2021. Since then, he's been the primary backup behind Lawrence. Over the last three years, he's attempted 66 passes, completing 49 for 417 yards with one touchdown and one interception. His lone start for Jacksonville came in Week 17 of the 2023 season.

Heading into the game, Beathard told the local media that he's not too worried about the quarterback competition and is instead focused on what he can control. The former Iowa Hawkeye also said that it's not been difficult for him to find a balance between his friendship with Jones and the quarterback battle because he's been competing all his life.

"It's just the same that I've done literally my whole life since I was in high school," Beathard said. "They're your friends, there's no bad blood. It's like, I'm on boys with Mac, I'm boys with Trevor. We get along really well together. We laugh a lot together."

Beathard continued, "It'd be a lot harder if it was a tough situation, as far as, like, personality-wise, but Mac's a great dude. He's easy to get along with. We're just having fun. We're going out. We're all putting our best foot forward each and every day, trying to be our best. Whatever happens, happens."

Jones was a first-round pick by the New England Patriots in 2021, the same Jaguars selected Trevor Lawrence first overall. Although the Alabama standout made the Pro Bowl and led his team to the playoffs as a rookie, he struggled the past two seasons. Having seen enough of him, the Pats traded him to Jacksonville in exchange for a sixth-round pick earlier this year.

So far, Jones has made the most of his fresh start. He's also gained his confidence back, which took a hit with the Pats because the coaching staff mismanaged his development and benched him several times the past two seasons. The Jacksonville native says that he'll try to make the most out of whatever time he gets in the preseason.

"Some years, you're the starter and you may not be playing much," Jones said when asked how he's approaching the preseason. "A lot of times, the coach's decision, but I always want to get out there and play as much as I can. I think that's good, whether you're the starter, backup third or fourth [stringer]. It doesn't matter. You want the reps in the game. I think that's really beneficial for the young people, and I don't try and put too much pressure on these games."

"It's two games that are very important, but for a lot of people, they might not even be playing, but for a lot of people, it's very important. So you have to understand that. And I'm just looking forward to competing, and it's not all going to be perfect, but you got to learn from it and continue to build momentum into the season."

As Jones said, this game will be key. He and Beathard will get a chance to take a lead in the competition, so they'll both be incentivized to give their best even if the outcome of the game won't count in the standings.

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