Even although he wore a sling on his left arm, Trevor Lawrence was in a position to level a number of fingers Thursday, most of them at himself.
The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback spoke publicly for the primary time since present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure after recovering from a violent hit that left him with a concussion. His availability got here three days after crew proprietor Shad Khan fired coach Doug Pederson and retained oft-criticized basic supervisor Trent Baalke.
Lawrence agreed with Khan’s evaluation that the offense was too predictable and made it clear that the Jaguars (4-13) want extra toughness and a greater tradition underneath their subsequent coach.
“We have to deliver some power again to this place,” Lawrence mentioned. “It looks like we have misplaced that during the last yr and a half or so, for no matter motive. We have to get that again. And I believe that is one thing that we as crew leaders really want to take a look at.
“We must do our half too. It’s not simply our fault that we fired Coach Peterson, so it is all as much as him. It’s as much as us as gamers too. We must get that power again… We must be those to actually change our trajectory , to be trustworthy.”
The Jaguars have requested interviews with 10 potential replacements, a listing that features 5 present NFL coordinators and three former coaches. Jacksonville launched an eight-man roster on Tuesday, however they’ve since added Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores and Kansas City defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo.
(Related: NFL coach/GM tracker 2025: Raiders fireplace GM Tom Telesco after one season)
Joe Brady (Buffalo), Liam Coen (Tampa Bay), Aaron Glenn (Detroit), Patrick Graham (Las Vegas), Ben Johnson (Detroit), Todd Monken (Baltimore), Kellen Moore (Philadelphia) and Robert Saleh (Green Bay) they’re additionally on the checklist.
“It looks like we’re doing all the appropriate issues so far as speaking to all the appropriate folks and all of the big-name candidates which might be on the market,” Lawrence mentioned. “I do not know any of these folks personally, to be trustworthy. So… I do not essentially have an opinion.”
Lawrence has a desire, although.
“Obviously, I’m biased. I’m an offensive man. I’m a quarterback,” Lawrence mentioned. “From that standpoint, it appears nice to have a younger offensive coach that may deliver within the system and that we will develop collectively and maintain that system in place for years to come back.”
The half that might assist probably the most: Lawrence staying wholesome.
He was carted off the sector in early December after Houston’s Azeez Al-Shaair delivered a forearm to his facemask, a late hit that prompted two courtside brawls.
The unsportsmanlike hit left Lawrence within the fencing stance — a typical response to a traumatic mind damage during which each fists clench — and he remained on the bottom for a number of minutes as a melee ensued close by.
Lawrence mentioned: “I do not assume the shot was honest” and added that Al-Shaair has but to make contact.
(Related: Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair suspended 3 video games for a success on Trevor Lawrence)
“I do not assume personally attacking the man is the appropriate response,” Lawrence mentioned.
It was the most recent damage for Lawrence, who missed one sport in 2023 with a proper shoulder sprain. He additionally missed important time in observe that season as a consequence of a sprained left knee, a sprained proper ankle, and a concussion two weeks later.
He has now missed eight video games in two years and can certainly be labeled injury-prone transferring ahead.
“It would not hassle me,” mentioned Lawrence, who has thrown for two,045 yards in 10 video games this season, with 11 landing passes and 7 interceptions. “I simply need to keep wholesome. What bothers me is just not being on the market, so I’m probably not nervous about any labels or tags or something.
“I simply need to be on the market. I really feel like I do know I can influence the sport and assist us win video games when I’m on the market. And when I’m not, it is robust.”
Lawrence will stay on the bench for one more three weeks and expects to return to the pitch for organized crew actions in May. In the meantime, he’ll anticipate Khan and Baalke to provide Lawrence his third coach in 5 years.
“Whether it is an offensive or defensive coach, only a man that is going to instill that tradition, that tenacity into our crew and that confidence that irrespective of who we’re up in opposition to, after we play, we simply spot the ball and we will beat anybody,” he mentioned Lawrence. “Just a troublesome crew that different groups do not need to play in opposition to.”
Associated Press reporting.
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