JACKSONVILLE – Seven Jaguars experts – Rick Ballou, Frank Frangie, Brent Martineau, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, J.P. Shadrick and Ashlyn Sullivan – are breaking down the Jaguars as the 2022 NFL season approaches; today: what the experts want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in '22 …
Rick Ballou, Jaguars sideline reporter
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: Lawrence must improve his accuracy and his average per attempt. This should happen with a better coaching staff and more weapons. Seventeen interceptions – his total as a rookie in 2021 -- is a big number, but I like the fact that he took some shots. Expect that number to drop. He became a leader during his rookie season, and he will continue to grow in that area.
Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: I want to see him find a rhythm. We started seeing it last year as we neared the end of the season. I'm not as caught up in the numbers — this many touchdowns, this many yards, this few interceptions, etc. I know those are the metrics people pay attention to. But we all know what it looks like when a quarterback finds a rhythm. That's what I want to see from Lawrence in Year 2.
Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: I think we all want to see Lawrence take a big step in his sophomore season in the NFL. What does that mean? For me, it's winning a couple of games late and making the players around him better. Lawrence has the capability to make receivers and pass catchers have career years. I would like to see Lawrence do that with guys like wide receiver Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram. The good quarterbacks win late so that would be nice to see a couple of times, too.
John Oehser, jaguars.com senior writer
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: A second-year jump. That's a generic take, but what the Jaguars need from Lawrence isn't anything specific as much as a feeling by season's end he is moving in the right direction. That will mean improving in multiple areas – command of the offense, accuracy and consistency chief among them. Mainly, what you want from Lawrence are a handful of games in which you feel as if he made two or three plays that were the difference. That's the mark of a playmaking quarterback who can lift a franchise and you need some tangible signs from Lawrence this season that he's indeed that guy.
Brian Sexton, jaguars.com senior correspondent
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: I'd like to see Lawrence play with the lead more often in 2022. The second-year quarterback was excellent with the lead the entire game against Indianapolis in the season finale last season. He managed the huddle, the clock, the play sheet and the pass rush with aplomb and looked every bit the generational talent he's been advertised to be. He spent too much time last season running for his life as every defensive coordinator knew the Jaguars had to throw to get back into nearly every game. If he can have the lead early, he can use the running game to set up the pass instead of the pass to set up the run. Play action is a quarterback's best friend and if a defense has to respect the run, then we're likely to see more from the second-year quarterback that resembles his final rookie performance against the Colts.
J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com reporter/editor
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: Continued improvement. I said something similar before last season, but considering this is a new offense with new voices in his ear, it might take a little time to find a stride in the offense. Just see where he is week-to-week, what decisions he is or isn't making, what throws he is or isn't executing and what games are being won or lost. I feel like as the season progresses, we should see some excellent football from Lawrence as his world settles.
Ashlyn Sullivan, Digital reporter and host
What I want to see from quarterback Trevor Lawrence in 2022: Better decision-making. We have heard the coaching staff talk about eliminating that one "bonehead" play per game – that is what separates a rookie from a pro. Lawrence had to go through A LOT his rookie season, and I don't blame him for wanting to take some chances downfield late in the season. But, a lot of times those bad decisions changed the game. Lawrence being smarter with the football with a much better roster makes me optimistic those 50-50 games will go the Jaguars' way this season.
