When Liam Coen was announced as the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he immediately pointed out that his main priority was reviving the form of Trevor Lawrence. Over the last two seasons, the quarterback’s level has noticeably declined, leaving only glimpses of the exceptional talent that made him a standout at Clemson and the first overall pick in the NFL Draft.
Injuries have played a significant role in this decline, but they are not the sole factor. Lawrence has also struggled to rediscover the football instincts and decisionmaking that briefly placed Jacksonville on the league’s map as a legitimate contender.
To fix this, repetition has become central to the Jaguars’ offseason work. Lawrence’s ability to establish timing and communication with his receiving corps is viewed as critical for the team’s chances of improvement. Still, this past week underscored the challenges of that process. Rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. endured a difficult practice, dropping multiple contested passes before leaving the session limping with a minor issue that caused him discomfort.
Coen addressed the situation afterward, downplaying the negatives while emphasizing the opportunities created during practice.
I don’t necessarily think it was a bad day… We got a ton of opportunities to make plays… We just didn’t make ’em.
Building a team focused on execution
Under Coen’s leadership, Jacksonville is shifting toward emphasizing consistent execution rather than chasing an unrealistic ideal of perfection. The approach prioritizes precision in daily work, creating a foundation that can later produce explosive plays when needed. For rookies adjusting to professional speed and complexity, patience and constant repetition will be the key to mastering Coen’s system.
Coen’s ability to adapt to circumstances was a hallmark of his time in Tampa Bay, where he kept the offense functional despite losing key players. That experience is one reason Jacksonville believes he can stabilize an attack that has often relied too heavily on Lawrence’s individual brilliance.
Health remains crucial
Jacksonville’s offensive potential still depends heavily on Lawrence staying healthy. The quarterback is currently dealing with what the team calls “minor shoulder tightness,” which has limited his practice reps. Though Coen insists the restrictions are precautionary, the lack of consistent work disrupts the rhythm the offense is trying to build.
The situation worsened when Thomas Jr., after catching a deep pass in the red zone, landed awkwardly and exited practice. While the injury is not considered serious, pairing it with Lawrence’s limited throws underscores the thin margin for error the Jaguars face.
For now, the focus remains on installing Coen’s system and hoping health and cohesion arrive in time to make Jacksonville competitive again. The challenge is big; however, the Jaguars have the talent to create an amazing campaign. Trevor just needs to believe in himself again.
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