Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence addresses expectations for first season with HC Liam Coen

The Jacksonville Jaguars hired former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as their head coach in January after quarterback Baker Mayfield enjoyed the best season of his career while playing in Coen's offense. 

During the latest episode of the "Pardon My Take" podcast, Jaguars signal-caller Trevor Lawrence indicated that he understands what's expected of him regarding the upcoming campaign. 

"I feel like this is like getting into my prime," Lawrence explained via NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "I got a lot of good years left ahead of me, and I need to really turn it on. And I think what we've built around me and what they've done this offseason has been a great start."

Lawrence signed a five-year contract extension worth up to $275 million last offseason before enduring a rough 2024 campaign that ended prematurely when he was shut down in early December to undergo shoulder surgery. According to Pro Football Reference, he ended Week 18 ranked 28th in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks with an 85.2 passer rating and 35th out of 36 players with a 60.6 percent completion percentage. In total, he tossed 11 touchdown passes and seven interceptions over 10 games. 

To compare, Mayfield finished his one regular season in Coen's system ranked fourth in the league with a 106.8 passer rating, third with a 71.4 completion percentage, third with 4,500 passing yards and tied for second with 41 touchdowns through the air. 

Jacksonville trading up to select Colorado two-way star Travis Hunter with the second pick of the 2025 NFL Draft should help Lawrence bounce back from a disappointing season. Lawrence will once again have second-year pro Brian Thomas Jr. as a target after Thomas finished his rookie campaign ranked third in the league with 1,282 receiving yards. 

"I really feel good about the situation we're in," Lawrence added. "I love coach Coen and the whole staff and everyone, all the guys that were brought in free agency. Just good dudes, good players, too. But I really feel like we've done some great things this offseason."

Lawrence briefly became the subject of a trade rumor in February, and some think teams could contact the Jaguars about his services if he fails to guide the club to at least a playoff berth in 2025. The 25-year-old sounds ready to prove his worth to the team that made him the first pick of the 2021 draft, but he also needs to prove he can stay healthy for an entire season.