Jaguars coach Doug Pederson says star QB Trevor Lawrence is ‘the real deal’
Trevor Lawrence was the top NFL draft pick of 2021. Widely regarded as a generational talent, the Jacksonville Jaguars hoped the young quarterback would transform the franchise.
Few players started their NFL careers with the expectations Lawrence faced, but last season he began showing why he was the first player drafted. He threw for more than 4,000 yards and threw 25 touchdowns in 2022.
Lawrence helped the Jaguars advance to the playoffs and led the team to an impressive comeback win in the wild card round against the Los Angeles Chargers.
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence throws during the first half of the game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee December 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Doug Pederson, who won Super Bowl LII while he was head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, is credited with helping Lawrence improve during his sophomore season.
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Now entering his second year with the Jaguars, Pederson said Lawrence has lived up to the high expectations placed on him.
“He’s the real deal,” Pederson told Sky Sports, referring to Lawrence. “He’s a sponge on the practice ground, he’s a great communicator with us as a team, a great leader. He’s the guy we all expected him to be, and he is. We are happy about it. He’s still young. He’s got a lot.” Ball in front of him.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence seeks a two-point conversion in the AFC Wild Card game against the Los Angeles Chargers at TIAA Bank Field on January 14, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
Lawrence threw more interceptions than touchdowns during his rookie season under then-head coach Urban Meyer. The former national championship-winning coach was sacked later in the season after a 2-11 start.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence rolls out during the third quarter of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on November 13, 2022 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Jaguars were a surprise team in 2022. But after Lawrence’s strong sophomore season and with the addition of veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley and others, the team heads into 2023 with heightened expectations.
In August, Pederson said he was pleased with Lawrence’s progress in his sophomore year on the offensive system.
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“The biggest thing I’ve seen from Trevor is his confidence, which has been two years now since we had him offseason a year ago, amazing,” Pederson said via the Jaguars’ official website.
“It’s unbeatable. He left the past behind, he focused on the future and really took this chance with this football team. The confidence in him is extremely high, as it should be.”