Even though Trevor Lawrence has been hampered by injuries the last couple years, he popped up in the top 10 of a recent quarterback ranking because he's still the same talented player the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted first overall in 2021. With a new regime in place, he's expected to bounce back next season and play like he did in 2022, when he led the Jags to the playoffs. To make it happen, he's been making a few tweaks to his game.
Lawrence confided to Sara Walsh of NFL Media that he's been working on his mechanics and how to use his eyes better.
"He said that he's been working on a few things, some subtle things this offseason: His footwork, not major changes, and then using his eyes as a weapon against the defense, little things that he has picked up from video," Walsh said. "Now, you just mentioned Travis Hunter, the freshly inked deal from him. He also has Brian Thomas, Jr, who had an incredible rookie season last year, rewriting the Jaguars rookie record books, and now you get the draft darling in Hunter."
Walsh continued, "Lawrence says that he's already seen Travis Hunter grow tremendously during this offseason, but he said now is the time that he can get his mind right, reset a little bit, because he's had so much thrown at him. And Trevor also said in the next couple of weeks, he's going to be spending quite a bit of time with Hunter, that they can work on timing, and then also just to be going over everything in a new system, because it's not just new to Hunter. It's really new to everyone on the Jags with the new head coach, Cam."
This isn't necessarily shocking news. Head coach Liam Coen said earlier this year that he would help No. 16 hone his footwork. However, it's refreshing to hear that it remains a point of emphasis.
On the other hand, Louis Riddick of ESPN argued that Lawrence must improve in the mental part of the game, noting that he begins to forget all the fundamental things when things go off the rails.
The Jaguars are doing everything they can to help Trevor Lawrence bounce back
Trevor Lawrence wasn't the reason the Jacksonville Jaguars went 4-13 last year, but his play certainly left a bit to be desired at times. He wasn't outright bad, but his mechanics were sloppy, and his decision-making wasn't always the best. Doug Pederson most definitely deserves plenty of flak for the quarterback's regression, but the former Clemson Tiger isn't free of blame. Compounding the issue is that he's struggled to stay healthy the past two years.
Working on Lawrence's favor is that the team's brass made upgrades to both the offensive line and his arsenal of weapons in the offseason. Similarly, he'll be the biggest beneficiary of Liam Coen's arrival. During his lone season as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' offensive coordinator, he helped Baker Mayfield post career numbers.
There's no doubt that Trevor Lawrence is entering a pivotal year. Working on the finer points of his game will help him come through.