So often, NFL players fall victim to their situations. It's especially true of first overall draft picks. Prospects with extraordinary talent can flame out due to poor coaching or a lack of a supporting cast. When they do, fans are quick to slap the "bust" label onto them.
That could have been the case for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He's had a rocky start to his career, with just one playoff appearance in his four seasons in Jacksonville.
But 2025 gives Lawrence an opportunity to turn things around. With new head coach Liam Coen at his back, Lawrence can finally become the elite quarterback the Jaguars drafted him to be.
Lawrence has always had the talent to succeed. But now, his breakout can be fueled by those around him.
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Trevor Lawrence breakout can finally be driven by his supporting cast
When the Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence back in 2021, he was seen as the savior to scoop them up from the bottom of the league, leading them into true sustained contention for the first time in decades.
It hasn't happened that way, but it's not Lawrence's fault. So far, he's been hindered by disastrous supporting casts.
From the Urban Meyer debacle to the Doug Pederson collapse, Lawrence has been backed by unstable head coaches for his entire career. Now, with Liam Coen, he has a chance to build a true partnership that could propel him to finally fulfill his potential.
And this time, it's not all on Lawrence's shoulders.
In previous iterations of the Jaguars' offense, Lawrence has been responsible for almost all of the production. In 2024, Jacksonville finished 26th in the league in total rushing yards. Lawrence's average depth of target (ADOT) was by far the most it's ever been, indicating that he had to push the ball down the field more often.
The Jaguars' offense was only going to move forward if Lawrence forced it to. Now, he can share the load.
Coen engineered a top-five offense with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, and he did so by taking the pressure off his quarterback. The Buccaneers finished fourth in the NFL in rushing yards. Baker Mayfield's ADOT was lower than any of his other seasons as a full-time starter. Tampa Bay was incredibly efficient on screen passes, further lightening Mayfield's workload.
The Buccaneers' offense was a well-oiled machine, and Mayfield just had to be one of the cogs.
Imagine that kind of system in Jacksonville. Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby form a truly dangerous rushing attack. Travis Hunter can use his insane athleticism to become one of the best screen threats in football, and Brian Thomas Jr. can continue to be a monstrous deep threat.
In a situation like that, Lawrence can finally thrive. With a more efficient rushing attack and a well-developed screen game, Lawrence could jump into elite quarterback territory. If he can stay healthy and work within Coen's system, this should be Lawrence's best year yet.