Damien Woody says Liam Coen ‘better’ bring out the best in Trevor Lawrence: ‘That’s why he’s there’

Liam Coen has a lot to do as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars. A non-negotiable, though, is finally getting the most out of QB Trevor Lawrence, says ESPN’s Damien Woody.

Woody, as part of ‘Get Up’ on Thursday, answered questions this morning about quarterbacks in the AFC South, including if Coen could get the best out of Lawrence this season in what will be his fifth in the NFL. That said, Woody didn’t think much of it as he absolutely sees it as a requirement for Coen considering what the franchise has invested into Lawrence.

“He better. That’s why he’s there, right,” said Woody. “Like, Trevor Lawrence, we came into this last year, everyone thinking, okay, Trevor Lawrence is going to bounce back, whatever. This man is a number one overall pick, is getting paid a boatload of money. That is the reason you are there. You are there to rehabilitate Trevor Lawrence.”

Lawrence, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has had a fine career to this point with the Jaguars. Despite having a losing record as a starter at 22-38 overall, Lawrence has completed 63.3% of his throws for 230.3 yards per game with 69 passing touchdowns but 46 interceptions. He has also rushed for 14 more scores, but while losing 22 fumbles as well. Of his four years, 2022 was his best with career-highs in his passing stats and in rushing touchdowns en route to being a Pro Bowler and candidate for MVP while Jacksonville made their first postseason appearance of the past seven years, winning in a huge comeback in the Wild Card before losing at Kansas City in the AFC Divisional.

However, Lawrence has regressed over the past two seasons, completing 63.1% for 227.8 yards with 32 passing touchdowns and 21 picks while rushing for seven scores and losing 14 fumbles. With 83 total touchdowns and 68 total turnovers in his career, 39 of the scores and 35 of the turnovers have come the last two years. He also has had some injury issues in that time, namely dealing with a sprain in his shoulder and a concussion last season. Jacksonville has struggled over that span at 10-16 in his starts and 13-21 overall, which led to the firing of Doug Pederson after three seasons.

That’s where Coen, an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach the past four seasons in college with Kentucky and in the pros with the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, comes in. He arrives in Duval County after his work three hours south in the state last season, helping QB Baker Mayfield to a career-best year with 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions on 71.4% completion as a Pro Bowler and MVP candidate as the Buccaneers, with a top-five scoring offense in the league, made the playoffs in the NFC.

Lawrence, as of June last year, is one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL. He needs to start performing like one now, and the team along with him, with that now being the key to the job for Coen in his debut season as a head coach.

“If we don’t see some type of return on (Lawrence)? Man, it’s going to look ugly in Jacksonville,” said Woody.