NFL Exec Says Trevor Lawrence Misses Easy Throws, Calls Jaguars Offense 'Downtrodden' | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats, and Rumors

HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 29: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars throws the ball during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

Cooper Neill/Getty Images

One NFL personal executive offered a withering assessment of the Jacksonville Jaguars offense through an 0-4 start to the 2024 NFL season.

“They play up front like they can’t wait until the play is over—tough to watch,” the official told The Athletic’s Mike Sando. “The quarterback is missing easy throws. There’s bad body language. Just in general, offensively, a downtrodden group.”

And those comments came before Jacksonville lost 24-20 to the Houston Texans in Week 4. The Jags finished with 313 total yards, and Trevor Lawrence went 18-of-33 for 169 yards and two touchdowns.

Even if the offense performed better, it may not matter much. The defense is allowing the third-most yards (380.0) and points (27.3) per game, and the unit ranks dead last in DVOA (defense-adjusted value over average), per FTN Fantasy.

The state of the Jaguars offense is nonetheless confusing based on how much the franchise has invested on that side of the ball.

Jacksonville hired a head coach (Doug Pederson) who worked as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator earlier in his career. Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr. and wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. were all first-round picks, and Lawrence just signed a $275 million extension. Wideout Christian Kirk and tight end Evan Engram both signed relatively sizable contracts for their positions.

Simply put, the Jags shouldn’t be this middling offensively.

Bill Barnwell @billbarnwell

Let’s talk about the Jaguars offense from yesterday. If you’re looking for someone to blame, the answer is yes. There are just so many frustrating moments here. In a game they needed to win to save their season and where the Texans gift-wrapped them an early TD, this was brutal.

The problem might be simultaneously straightforward and difficult to solve.

Lawrence was a Pro Bowler in his second season, which was Pederson’s first year at the helm. It looked like he was on his way to becoming a franchise quarterback and had a coach who could get him there.

Instead, the 24-year-old has yet to make a major breakthrough, and he’s regressing badly right now. He has thrown for 729 yards, four touchdowns and an interception while completing just 53.3 percent of his passes.

“They have a quarterback they think is a superstar, and he is not a superstar,” one source told Sando. “Ownership thinks he is a superstar. It will not end well.”

Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold were cast aside by multiple teams before things finally clicked well into their careers. It’s too early to write Lawrence off entirely.

But this season is on track to raise some serious questions about the state of the Jaguars moving forward.