Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence could be playing too hurt
It's pretty safe to say that coming out of high school, college, and even into the NFL, Trevor Lawrence was one of the best quarterback prospects we have ever seen. So, with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars had no choice but to pick Lawrence. And it was the […]
It's pretty safe to say that coming out of high school, college, and even into the NFL, Trevor Lawrence was one of the best quarterback prospects we have ever seen. So, with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars had no choice but to pick Lawrence. And it was the right pick.
His first season was underwhelming, to say the least, but a lot of that is because of Urban Meyer and the pieces the Jaguars had around their franchise guy. However, in the second year, last season, with Doug Pederson at the helm, Lawrence was one of the best quarterbacks in the league in the second half of the season.
This year, he has up-and-down moments. Sure, the offense as a whole hasn't been great, but you could say that Lawrence has looked awful during this four-game losing streak. There is a reason, too. One of Lawrence's best qualities is starting to hurt the Jaguars.
Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence is extremely tough
You all know the old saying – the best ability is availability. In this case, maybe not so much. Lawrence has started 50 consecutive games, even with the last few weeks of him being banged up. There's now been the concussion from last week, along with the shoulder issue and, of course, the high ankle sprain against the Cincinnati Bengals.
It's all a big reason why he struggled against the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Christmas Eve. Against the Ravens, he was awful. Steve Zavala of A to Z Sports Baltimore explained to me what he saw from Lawrence on that Sunday Night Football game that has since carried over into the game we just witnessed.
One thing that stood out was really his mobility in the pocket. I thought heading into the game, Baltimore's front seven would have a field day getting to him, especially since he entered the game with an ankle injury. But the Ravens tallied just one sack and four QB hits in the game. I was also surprised to see Lawrence struggle so much in the deep passing game. He went 3/9 on pass attempts of at least 20 plus yards… Lawrence didn't get anything going downfield.
Against the Buccaneers, we saw much of the same. Is Lawrence tough, and will he play nearly every game? Yes. He has not missed a game in his career yet. However, that is starting to hurt the Jaguars. He is hurt, badly, almost too hurt, I could say. It's showing in his play. His being unhealthy is affecting the offense badly.
It may be time to sit Lawrence for a week and let him get healthy. The Jaguars are still tied for first place in the AFC South, with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans both also losing. So, it wouldn't be as big of a deal if they lose. Will the Jaguars do that? No.
The Jaguars offense isn't looking great at all. It's been the same mistakes all season long, but they are showing even more with Lawrence injured.
Jaguars HC lays out exactly what the next step for Trevor Lawrence is
The Jacksonville Jaguars are expecting quarterback’s standing in the NFL Trevor Lawrence to get even better in 2023.
