Trevor Lawrence might not be concerned with the narrative that he hasn’t proven himself yet. His five-year, $275 million contract extension signals that he’s already considered a top quarterback. However, the Jacksonville Jaguars QB has faced ups and downs throughout his career, making this a pivotal season for how he’s perceived.
The good news is that Lawrence looked outstanding in Friday’s preseason finale against the Atlanta Falcons. He started strong with sharp passes, including a beautifully placed touchdown to Evan Engram, threading it perfectly over the defender. On the second drive, Lawrence led the team downfield and connected with Engram for another touchdown.
Lawrence was on point from the start, completing all four passes for 59 yards on Jacksonville’s first drive. He finished 8 of 10 for 91 yards before being pulled after the second series. While this was against the Falcons’ backups, it’s still a positive sign for the Jaguars to see Lawrence in top form.
The throw. The catch. The feet down. 🤌
— NFL (@NFL) August 23, 2024
📺: #JAXvsATL on @NFLNetwork
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/k93PtlBYiB
It wasn’t just Lawrence who shined. Travis Etienne Jr. also impressed, beginning the night with runs of seven and 16 yards and finishing with 47 yards on seven carries in just over a quarter. Rookie first-round pick Brian Thomas Jr., who has been generating positive buzz in Jaguars camp, hauled in a 38-yard catch on the first drive. Engram, rebounding from a disappointing season, made a great catch on Lawrence’s perfect touchdown pass and ended the game with four receptions, including two touchdowns. On defense, former first overall pick Travon Walker recorded a sack and applied pressure on a third-down play, forcing an incompletion.
The Jaguars looked strong in their final preseason outing. Last season, they were on track for an AFC South title before Lawrence’s high ankle sprain derailed their season, leading to them missing the playoffs. But if Lawrence’s injury was the primary reason for their collapse, perhaps this season will be their comeback.
