JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Despite sporting a sling on his left arm, quarterback Trevor Lawrence took responsibility during his first public appearance following season-ending shoulder surgery. This recovery came after he had previously sustained a concussion from a significant hit. His comments came just three days after team owner Shad Khan dismissed head coach Doug Pederson while retaining general manager Trent Baalke, who has faced criticism.
Lawrence concurred with Khan’s observation that their offense lacked creativity and emphasized the necessity for increased toughness and a healthier culture in the team’s future under a new head coach. “We need to inject some energy back into this organization,” Lawrence asserted. “It feels like we’ve lost that vibe over the last year and a half, for various reasons. We need to reclaim that energy. As leaders on this team, it’s our responsibility.”
He continued, “We have our role to play in this. The dismissal of Coach Peterson isn’t solely on him; as players, we are also accountable. We need to revitalize that energy. It is up to us to shift our path moving forward.”
The Jaguars have begun the search for a new head coach, having requested interviews with ten potential candidates that include five NFL coordinators and three ex-head coaches. The initial list from Tuesday included eight names, but has since expanded to include Brian Flores, the defensive coordinator from Minnesota, and Kansas City’s Steve Spagnuolo.
Among the other candidates are Joe Brady (Buffalo), Liam Coen (Tampa Bay), Aaron Glenn (Detroit), Patrick Graham (Las Vegas), Ben Johnson (Detroit), Todd Monken (Baltimore), Kellen Moore (Dallas), and Robert Saleh (Green Bay). Lawrence believes the Jaguars are taking the right steps in evaluating significant names for the role. “It seems like we are in discussions with all the right candidates,” he noted, though admitted he didn’t know many of them personally.
However, he does have a preference for the coaching approach. “Naturally, I’m inclined towards offensive coaching as a quarterback,” Lawrence remarked. “It would be fantastic to have a young offensive coach who could implement a system we could develop together over the years.”
A key factor in that development is ensuring Lawrence remains healthy. He faced a significant injury in early December when a late hit from Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair led to chaotic scenes, including sideline fights. The blow left Lawrence in a concerning posture often associated with traumatic brain injuries, prompting him to stay down as the confrontation unfolded around him.
Lawrence stated, “I believe the hit was inappropriate,” and mentioned that Al-Shaair has not reached out since the incident. “I don’t think attacking him personally is the solution,” he added.
This incident marks yet another injury in Lawrence’s career; in 2023, he missed one game due to a sprained right shoulder, while also experiencing significant practice interruptions from a sprained left knee and a right ankle injury, followed by a concussion a couple of weeks later. Over a span of two years, he has missed a total of eight games, leading to concerns over his durability.
“Labels don’t trouble me,” Lawrence expressed. “What genuinely concerns me is not being on the field. My primary desire is to remain healthy. I believe in my ability to influence the game and contribute to winning when I play. When I can’t, it’s challenging.”
For the next three weeks, Lawrence will remain in a sling but anticipates participating in organized team activities come May. Meanwhile, he will await the decisions from Khan and Baalke as they find Lawrence’s third head coach in just five seasons. He concluded by stating, “Whether it’s an offensive or defensive coach, we need someone who can instill a resilient culture within our team and boost our confidence, regardless of our opponents. We need to be a formidable team that others are wary of facing.”
