![Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) rolls out to catch a snap during a drill during the seventh organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Monday, June 2, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,x_0,y_47,w_1519,h_854/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/55/01jwxp46s61d0g1ht3nc.jpg "Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) rolls out to catch a snap during a drill during the seventh organized team activity at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. Monday, June 2, 2025. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]")
All eyes were on Trevor Lawrence because he was off-target in a handful of throws early at Organized Team Activities. In retrospect, the Jacksonville Jaguars had (and still have) nothing to worry about. After all, no player is exempt from having a bad day. On top of that, he's recovering from shoulder surgery and honing his footwork, so it's easy to understand why he may not have been sharp.
Fast forward to the most recent OTA opened for fans and the media, and No. 16 looks much better. In fact, Liam Coen is pleased with his work on the red zone.
"Yeah, I think he's actually done a really nice job in the red zone," Coen told the press corps when asked how Lawrence is doing in the red zone. "Really, looking back to the first time that we did it, last Friday, when we did it, I think he made some quick decisions. You know, everything is sped up in the red area. When the timing, the rhythm, the space, it's all tighter, it's all sped up. I thought he's done a nice job with his footwork in the red zone, understanding that concept."
"Ultimately, like good teams are able to run the football into the end zone. And it's hard to do that in this setting. So a lot of it is kind of geared towards practicing the pass game, the timing, the rhythm, the protections, understanding when zero blitz is coming versus drop eight. So those are the things we're getting work at, and I think he's done a nice job of executing in that area so far."
John Shipley of Sports Illustrated backed up Coen's account, noting that Lawrence was sharp and the offense delivered in the red zone.
"The offense was impressive in red-zone drills, while the defense won the team period where the two units lined up midfield," Shipley wrote. "The secondary has done a good job of making tight windows with their zone coverage, and Trevor Lawrence himself had a really accurate day on Monday. It was a good practice all around."
Aside from rehabbing his shoulder injury, Lawrence is working on his mechanics with Coen. That's probably why he got off to a slow start in OTAs and will have a few bad practices along the way. That said, it's encouraging to hear that he's making strides under his tutelage.
The Jaguars will need Trevor Lawrence to be ready for Week 1
Coming off a disappointing season, Trevor Lawrence appears to be entering what will be a pivotal year in his NFL career. Dubbed a generational talent coming out of college, he's been inconsistent and struggled with injuries the past two years. On the other hand, he showed he can play at a high level despite not often getting much help from the team. Fortunately for him, that changed this offseason.
The team's brass beefed up the offensive line and made upgrades to his arsenal of weapons. If that wasn't enough, Coen's renewed emphasis on running the football will take a bit of pressure off his quarterback's shoulders. Rightly, Lawrence is under pressure to deliver, and there's no reason why he shouldn't.
Back in 2022, Lawrence had a decent team around him and helped the Jags seize the division and make the playoffs. His current supporting cast is much better, so nobody should bat an eye if the Jacksonville Jaguars exceed expectations.
Sure, the Houston Texans remain the team to beat in the AFC South, but don't rule out the possibility of making things interesting and challenging for the division crown next season.