The Jacksonville Jaguars entered the 2024 season with high expectations but ultimately couldn't meet them. Looking back, many things led to their underwhelming 3-14 record, including the quarterback play, injuries, and a lack of toughness. Trevor Lawrence would like the next head coach to address all of them.
Lawrence met with the local media following the ousting of Doug Pederson and talked about the things he wants the next coach to focus on, citing toughness and setting a winning culture as things the Jags need.
"There's a lot of things. Obviously, I'm biased, I'm an offensive guy. I'm a quarterback," Lawrence said when asked what qualities he would like his next head coach to have. "I think from that standpoint, [it] sounds great having a young offensive coach that can bring the system in and that we can just grow together and have that system in place for years to come."
Lawrence continued, "From that standpoint, that would be great, but I think just as far as a leader, you want the right guy that's going to be the right leader and voice for your team and set that culture and just to be a tough team, mentally, physically, that can withstand the ups and downs of the season. I think that that was something that the last couple or two years ago, we did a great job of but for whatever reason this year, we weren't able to do that. And it's hard to put a finger on sometimes why you're not able to."
"But from a leader standpoint, whether it's an offensive coach or a defensive coach, the guy that's going to instill that culture, that toughness into our team, and that confidence, that it doesn't matter who we're playing when we're playing. Just spot the ball, and we can beat anybody, and just a tough team that other teams don't want to play against. So all that, we need to get back to that, and whether it's offensive or defensive, that's the most important piece. I'm biased with the offensive thing, but whoever it is, just that mindset I think is important."
Lawrence went on to say that the team must fix the running game and be able to establish the run.
"At times, I think you could say that about other offenses as well. But I just think when you struggle, whether it's certain plays unfolding not going our way, or scheme or whatever. We weren't able to run the ball consistently effectively the last few years, and I think that really gave us trouble, to be honest. And it's hard to get everything else going when that's struggling," Lawrence said when asked if the offense was predictable in 2024.
"So I think that's where you maybe can see the predictability is when that's not working, and it's hard to get everything else going when that's struggling. So I think that's where you maybe can see the predictability is when, when that's not working, and you have to, you have to lean on pushing the ball downfield, or getting the ball in the perimeter. I think that's where you can kind of see maybe some predictability. And obviously this year, it becomes even tougher, right, with a bunch of injuries."
For context, the Jags were the second-worst team in the league in yards per rush before contact at 2.13 yards while their 2.18 rushing yards after contact ranked second, per Michael DiRocco of ESPN.
Just stumbled across this weird Jaguars rushing stat: They're second-worst team in the league in yards per rush BEFORE first contact (2.13) and second-best in yards per rush AFTER first contact (2.18).
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 23, 2024
On the other hand, Lawrence told the press corps that he also must do his part, noting that he's not been healthy the past two years and has to change that moving forward. Below is his full exchange with the local media. His remarks about the head coach start at the 2:51 mark.
Trevor Lawrence must improve but the Jaguars must get someone who can maximize his talent
Trevor Lawrence was looking to improve last season after having somewhat of a down year in 2023. But instead of taking a step forward, he regressed and right when he began to hit his stride, he suffered a labrum injury. Add the fact that he signed a monster contract extension last offseason, and it's easy to understand why owner Shad Khan said that No. 16 wasn't Aaron Rodgers 2.0.
On the other hand, the Jaguars didn't do enough to help him. Sure, Lawrence's mechanics were sloppy and his decision-making wasn't great. That said, Doug Pederson's unimaginative playcalling and deficient coaching didn't help matters.
Fortunately for Lawrence, the Jags are interviewing several intriguing candidates with an offensive background who can put him in a position to succeed and set the winning culture he talked about.
Whether that ends up being an offensive-minded coach or one with a defensive background remains to be seen. But one thing is certain, Lawrence can't surely wait to put last year's struggles behind and start working for next season.