Why Trevor Lawrence’s Second Season in the Jaguars’ System Has the Offense ‘Lightyears Ahead’
Following a disappointing rookie campaign, Lawrence delivered some impressive early returns on his lofty draft stock in his second season.
The first-time Pro-Bowler led the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs for the first time in five years, and won the AFC South with a 9-8 record.
In his first year with current offensive coordinator Press Taylor, Lawrence scored 30 total touchdowns and threw just eight interceptions. The Clemson product’s interception percentage of 1.4% was tied for sixth-best in the NFL; a drastic improvement for a quarterback who threw a league-leading 17 interceptions less than a year prior.
Lawrence credits improved communication and increased rapport with coaches and teammates for the 180-degree shift in offensive efficiency.
“I think it’s a lot of things. I think it’s like you said, second year in the offense, just that consistency, the communication between myself and Coach Pederson and Press [Taylor] and the whole offensive staff,” said Lawrence during an Aug. 23 media availability session. “I think we have a really clear vision of what we want and what our objectives are. I think we have a better idea, too, of what we’re good at and offensively what we want to try to do.”
Lawrence and the starters will play against the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, Aug. 26. It will serve as their ‘dress rehearsal’ for the regular season, and be the last game action anyone will see until opening day against the Indianapolis Colts.
Game-speed reps are all-important as training camp ramps up into the NFL regular season, and for a team with so many new faces like the Jaguars, building chemistry is an important part of their preparation.
“I feel really good. I think we built a lot of chemistry even more in this training camp, obviously had a lot with the guys that were here last year, and I think me and Calvin [Ridley] are just clicking more and more every day,” said Lawrence. “I think it’s been really great, we got some great work in… I like where we’re at right now, we got to keep getting better and this will be a good challenge for us to get some good reps on Saturday against Miami.”
With so many mouths to feed, the greatest challenge facing Taylor in his second year as offensive coordinator is one many wish to have. The addition of rookie standouts in running back Tank Bigsby and tight end Brenton Strange and the former Falcons wideout Calvin Ridley has brought a buzz the organization hasn’t felt since visiting Brady in Foxborough.
“I think in terms of where we thought we’d be last year, where we were last year, and where we are now, I think they’ll be maybe some of the bread-and-butter things that we felt like Trevor got really comfortable at and fit our personnel, but then we have new personnel,” said Taylor. “...it feels like we’re lightyears ahead as an offense than we were at this time last year.”
For an organization that has already weathered its fair share of storms, the smooth sailing of a young franchise quarterback and a creative offensive coordinator is a welcome change of pace. The ‘brain trust’ of Lawrence and Taylor could produce gaudy numbers on offense for years to come, but for now will have to focus on laying the groundwork for success:
“We’re just a close group and I think with that, that gives everybody confidence. You can count on the guy next to you and the guys have played well, performed really well,” said Taylor. “Even our depth throughout the preseason has looked great. It’s just encouraging for everybody, everybody feels like they can go play free.”
