The Jaguars head coach, Doug Pederson, emphasized the importance of having a healthy and available quarterback Trevor Lawrence during the AFC Coaches Breakfast at the 2024 NFL Annual Meeting. He highlighted the need for Lawrence to avoid extended periods of injuries, as seen late last season, which resulted in the team missing the playoffs.
Pederson recognized that missing practices can affect a quarterback’s performance on game day. Despite playing through a concussion, shoulder injury, and high-ankle sprain, Lawrence only missed one game. However, his performance suffered in the final stretch of the season when he went 1-5 with fewer touchdowns and more interceptions compared to earlier in the season.
The Jaguars had a promising start at 8-3 before losing their final game of the regular season. To prevent a similar outcome, Pederson stressed the importance of Lawrence taking every snap in practice to ensure positive results. By prioritizing his health and active participation in practices, Pederson believed that the Jaguars could achieve better outcomes in the upcoming season.
In conclusion, Pederson’s main focus is on ensuring that Lawrence is healthy and available for games. He understands that missing practices can negatively impact a quarterback’s performance on game day and has expressed frustration with Lawrence’s late-season slide. By prioritizing Lawrence’s health and active participation in practices, Pederson believes that the Jaguars can achieve success in the upcoming season.
