If you watched the Jaguars/Browns game yesterday, there was something that you noticed very quickly. What is up with Trevor Lawrence? Look at the stats from the game:
Fourteen for 30, 220 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. He had 16 yards passing at halftime, SIXTEEN!
So, the Jacksonville Jaguars are 0-2 and looking at a slate of games where the small legion of Jags fans terrified that this 2024 campaign will slip away.
Everyone associated with the NFL will easily point the finger at Trevor. He is the face of the franchise and was paid handsomely by that franchise (5 years, $275 million) to make him one of the highest paid players in the NFL. When he was drafted #1 in 2021, the Jags grabbed the next generational quarterback that would set the NFL landscape ablaze. His first year deserves a mulligan since Urban Meyer was the coach and was more focused on causing trouble than developing a generational quarterback. Doug Pederson came in and fixed Lawrence in 2022 as Jacksonville made the playoffs and actually, won the division. Then the playoff game against the Chargers when they were down 27-0 when T-Law kept his cool to lead his team back with a victory. Despite a loss to the Chiefs in the division round, the Jags were looking for a special 2023.
Well, 2023 wasn't special, it was a tragedy. Jacksonville collapsed after an 8-3 start to limp to 9-8 and missing the playoffs. So, many people who follow the NFL didn't expect much from this team going into 2024.
So, yesterday against the Browns and another former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, Lawrence put in this pathetic performance. This was the day that the franchise decided to be cute and rename the stadium TrEverbank Stadium, get it? After the game, Trev called out the team and said, "We suck right now." I realize that people are going to jump in and point out that Trev threw the team under the bus. He is not wrong, but his performance didn't help matters. When you make the most hated player in the NFL right now seem more sympathetic, then you dug yourself a hole.
Now comes the million-dollar question, did the Jaguars fail Trevor Lawrence? Yes and no. The no is obvious as they have done everything to please him. The extension was met with many confused looks, and he has the weapons for him to succeed. The renaming of the stadium showed that the organization has total confidence. The yes is also obvious, the Urban Meyer hiring. Mr. Meyer thought he was King Awesome and caused toxicity in the locker room. This may have stunted Lawrence's progress during his rookie season. Also, the team doesn't seem to have a footing on what defensive philosophy they want. Josh Hines-Allen, Trevon Walker and Devin Lloyd are good players, but when you have a revolving door of players on that side of the ball, it is confusing.
Trevor Lawrence isn't in the mud yet. The Jaguars could easily turn the season around. Did Trevor Lawrence calling out the team going to help them or break them? Time will tell.
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