Jaguars' Arik Armstead makes bold Trevor Lawrence claim

What Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is and isn't as a full-time starter has sparked numerous conversations over the years. 

During a recent NFL Network appearance, Jaguars defensive lineman Arik Armstead discussed whether or not outsiders should now view Lawrence as an elite player at the sport's most important position. 

Arik Armstead thinks Trevor Lawrence proved he is elite during this game

"100 percent, he should be in that conversation," Armstead said, per Bobby Kownack of the NFL's website.

Specifically, Armstead was impressed by how Lawrence performed in Jacksonville's 34-20 Week 16 win at the Denver Broncos on Dec. 21, 2025. On that day, Lawrence completed 23-of-36 pass attempts for 279 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed for a score as the Jaguars improved to 11-4. 

"...what solidified it for me was that Denver game on the road. Denver coming in, an elite defense, one of the best defenses in the leagues, pass rush, blitzes, playmakers all over the field," Armstead continued. "They were sending pressure at him, they were throwing zero looks, they were rushing with four with some great guys. But down the stretch, he made plays, he figured it out, he figured out the blitzing concepts that were coming at him, he got the ball in playmakers' hands in a high-pressure situation. So I think that was a big game, going late in the season against Denver, and I think he showed a lot."

Later, Lawrence helped the Jaguars grab a 24-20 lead over the Buffalo Bills late in a January 2026 wild-card playoff game. However, Buffalo star quarterback Josh Allen broke the hearts of Jaguars fans when he guided the Bills on a nine-play, 66-yard drive that ended with him scoring a rushing touchdown with roughly a minute left on the clock. 

Trevor Lawrence will "continue to get better and better" under head coach Liam Coen?

Under first-year Jaguars head coach Liam Coen, Lawrence finished fifth in Most Valuable Player Award voting and fourth in voting for the Comeback Player of the Year Award. According to Pro Football Reference, Lawrence ended Week 18 ranked sixth in the NFL with 4,007 passing yards and fifth with 29 passing touchdowns.

"I think the sky's just the limit for him," Armstead added. "I think he's just scratching the surface. It's gonna be so important for him to get with our coordinator and our coaching staff and have that consistency, and I think he's gonna continue to get better and better."

Lawrence signed a five-year contract extension worth up to $275M in June 2024. The fact that he has notched just a single playoff win since the Jaguars made him the first overall pick of the 2021 draft could lead one to say Lawrence hasn't yet shown he's worth such a salary. That said, he could prove to be a bargain for Jacksonville if Armstead is right about what the signal-caller will achieve while leading Coen's offense later this year.