Third coach in 5 years 'weird feeling' for Jags QB Trevor Lawrence

For the third time in five seasons, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is preparing to play for a new head coach.

Lawrence ended 2024 on injured reserve, undergoing surgery on his left shoulder while also recovering from a high-profile concussion stemming from a blow to the head by Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, who drew an NFL suspension.

Lawrence, wearing a sling for another two-plus weeks, told reporters Thursday he has no timeline for getting back to football workouts but expects to hit the field again soon. He called Monday's firing of head coach Doug Pederson unfortunate and "a weird feeling."

"It's not ideal. Obviously you want stability, you want consistency," Lawrence said.

The 25-year-old Lawrence said he wasn't impacted by owner Shad Khan referencing limited input he collects from players by saying he didn't want to create an "Aaron Rodgers 2.0" situation, an assertion that Rodgers wielded too much input with the Jets. Lawrence said he's in regular contact with Khan and does have an opinion, but is careful not to cross the line or sway personnel decisions.

"I don't ever want to cross any boundaries and try to do more than my job," he said.

Part of the inconsistency for the Jaguars has been tied to Lawrence's health. He played hurt to end the 2023 season and missed only one game, but missed seven games in 2024.

"I do feel like I've gotten better every year," said Lawrence. "The main thing is I just gotta be healthy."

Jacksonville holds the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 draft. Counting Lawrence as the No. 1 pick in 2021 followed by defensive end Travon Walker first overall in 2022, this is the third time in five seasons the Jaguars are set to draft in the top five.

Lawrence said he's "100 percent" confident the team can be back in the playoff mix, building around young cornerstones like 2024 rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr.

"I know the guys we have, the playmakers we have," Lawrence said. "This is a big offseason."

Lawrence was 2-8 as the starter in 2024, completing 60.6 percent of his passes for 2,045 yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Urban Meyer was the head coach to begin Lawrence's rookie season in 2021, but he was fired after a 2-11 start and replaced by interim coach Darrell Bevell. Pederson was hired in February 2022.

--Field Level Media