Quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s not “developing” as expected, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 0-4 record, has resulted in rumors suggesting that team owner Shad Khan could fire head coach Doug Pederson during the season, perhaps as soon as next week.
ESPN Jaguars reporter Michael DiRocco discussed how the team is “addressing” Lawrence’s struggles amid its losing streak.
“They’re trying to get him into a rhythm to get him rolling,” DiRocco explained. “Jacksonville called some short, quick throws [in the 24-20 loss to the Houston Texans in this past Sunday], including play-action on the goal line for a touchdown. But Lawrence’s biggest issue is that he’s missing normal throws that should be easy for NFL quarterbacks — like overthrowing Christian Kirk on a post route that would’ve been a sure touchdown and airmailing a pass to Brian Thomas Jr. that was intercepted.“
According to Pro Football Reference, Lawrence enters Week 5 of the campaign ranked 23rd in the NFL among qualified players with a 44.4 adjusted QBR, tied for 25th with a 78.9 passer rating, 28th with a 38.1% passing success rate and 32nd with a 53.3% completion percentage. He tossed four touchdown passes with a single interception over Jacksonville’s first four games, and he’s now lost nine consecutive starts going back to last season.
The Jaguars probably expected more from Lawrence when they signed him to a five-year contract extension worth up to $275M, with $142M fully guaranteed, this past offseason.
“It’s a mix of facing a lot of pressure (32.6% of his dropbacks) and — as coach Doug Pederson put it — getting too amped up on some plays,” DiRocco added about Lawrence’s play. “Navigating those two issues will help get Lawrence on track. And Pederson believes that once Lawrence has a run of success, he’ll look like the quarterback he was in the first half of 2023 before the injuries piled up.”
As of Wednesday morning, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the winless Jaguars as 2.5-point favorites for this Sunday’s home game versus the 2-2 Indianapolis Colts. If Lawrence has another rough outing at EverBank Stadium, Pederson could find himself out of a job before the halfway point of October arrives.