Trevor

Lawrence

It’s further confirmation that Coen, who will reportedly call plays for the Jacksonville offense, was hired to get the most out of Lawrence, whose career has floundered after being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The offensive system Coen used during his time as Bucs offensive coordinator used short and intermediate throws at a much higher rate than Lawrence has seen in recent seasons. More easy throws and better offensive design should put Lawrence in position to rebound from the past two seasons, during which he ranked 21st out of 34 qualifying QBs in drop back EPA and 18th in success rate.

Monken will be a popular name on the head coaching vacancy circuit after he led the Ravens to a league-high in yards and the third most points, along with the second best offensive success rate. The Jaguars could very well lean toward an offensive-minded head coach who could help revive Trevor Lawrence’s career following his disastrous 2024 season, which was marred by injury. The Jags are also requesting head coaching interviews with Robert Saleh and Kellen Moore, among others.

Jacksonville won’t be able to interview Coen until next week, as the Bucs are preparing to take on the Commanders in the first round of the NFL playoffs. Coen did a masterful job with the Tampa offense in 2024. The Bucs ranked fifth in EPA per play in 2024, with Baker Mayfield posting the league’s fifth best drop back success rate on this way to a career-best 4,500 yards and 45 touchdowns. Coen’s offense was particularly effective with screens and short area passes. It’s an element of the passing attack that could help Trevor Lawrence get his career back on track after a miserable 2024 campaign. In Jacksonville, Coen would scheme up plays for Brian Thomas, one of the most promising wideouts in recent memory.

Rapoport adds, “Lawrence will make a full recovery for 2025.” Though he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a devastating concussion in Week 13, the extended absence allows him to get a headstart on surgery in his non-throwing shoulder. Lawrence had topped 4,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons heading into 2024. One year away from the end of his rookie deal, the Jags pulled the trigger early and gave him a five-year, $275 million contract extension in the offseason, anticipating Lawrence to finally take the next step in his fourth season. Instead, the Jags got more of the same with a mixed bag of heroic throws and back-breaking mistakes. He struck up a connection with first-round rookie Brian Thomas Jr., hitting him on several long throws while posting some of the best efficiency metrics in the league on deep attempts. On the other hand, Lawrence couldn’t get much to work when looking at anyone else. He only managed 11 touchdowns to seven interceptions in 10 games, two of which he left early. Jacksonville will presumably fire Doug Pederson after the season, adding another excuse to the list of reasons Lawrence hasn’t broken out yet. If the Jaguars hire a rising offensive mind, Lawrence will have a shot at beating the “mid” allegations in 2025.

Lawrence will spend a minimum of four games on injured reserve. He will technically be able to return for a meaningless Week 18 game, but the odds of that happening are close to zero. Lawrence was also dealing with an injury to the AC joint in his left shoulder. He missed two games with the issue before returning last week, only to suffer a brutal concussion on a dirty hit from Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair. It’s possible Lawrence will undergo shoulder surgery while on injured reserve, which would mark an official end to his disappointing 2024 season. Mac Jones will close out the year as the Jags’ starter. Jones threw for 235 yards and two scores in relief of Lawrence last week but was much worse in his two starts. He barely registers as a QB2 for Superflex leagues.

Lawrence is in the NFL’s concussion protocol after sustaining a brain injury in Week 13 against the Texans on a dirty, late hit. There’s next to no chance Lawrence suits up this week against the Titans, leaving Mac Jones to get another start for Jacksonville. Jones has completed 62 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and three interceptions in 2024.

He also responded to a question about shutting Lawrence down for the season by saying no decisions have been made yet, and that he “wants to send positive message to team that we’re still fighting.” Mac Jones would receive yet another start if Lawrence fails to clear protocol by Sunday. It seems like the Jaguars are at least giving some thought to shutting Lawrence down, which would make sense as they’re all but mathematically eliminated from the playoffs.

Getting into the open field, Lawrence slid down and gave himself up but was decked by Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair in what looked like an obviously dirty hit. A brawl ensued, and Lawrence went off on a cart, though he did walk to it on his own. Mac Jones replaced Lawrence. Lawrence was 4-of-10 for 41 yards before leaving. The Jaguars wouldn’t seem to have much incentive to rush Lawrence back from this hit, but then again, they didn’t seem to have much incentive to have him play through his shoulder injury either.

However, his ability to take hits on the shoulder — and the fact that he has said that in-season surgery on it is an option — would have us a bit skittish about starting him in any league with just one starting quarterback. Inactive for the Jaguars are: OLB Yasir Abdullah, QB C.J. Beathard, T Javon Foster, DT Jordan Jefferson, RB D’Ernest Johnson, and DE Esezi Otomewo. Abdullah is nursing a hamstring injury. Everyone else is a healthy scratch (or in Beathard’s case a third quarterback.)

Lawrence was officially listed as questionable, though Doug Pederson said on Friday he expects the quarterback to play, so this isn’t a surprise. Lawrence missed two games with an AC joint injury in his non-throwing shoulder before the Jags’ Week 12 bye. Per Rapoport, Lawrence is “far less than 100 percent” healthy and surgery after the season or even sooner has not been ruled out. Mac Jones made two dismal starts in his place. With Lawrence back in the fold, fantasy managers can safely get Brian Thomas Jr. and Evan Engram in their lineups this week.