There weren’t many positives about the 2021 season for the Jacksonville Jaguars when the team finished with the worst record in the NFL at 3-14. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was drafted No. 1 overall last year, finished his rookie season with an NFL-most 17 interceptions and just 12 touchdown passes.
But the silver lining, according to Jaguars legend Fred Taylor, is that Lawrence proved his character during a challenging first season in the NFL.
“I am definitely looking forward to seeing his progression,” Taylor told Jaguars reporter J.P. Shadrick on a podcast appearance. “As a player, he’s always an amazing leader. He’s been that throughout college.
“I thought he showed poise and leadership a year ago in the midst of that debacle there with the offensive system and the coaching stuff. I truly believe that he has a consummate pro in Coach [Doug] Pederson in his corner. A former quarterback, someone who knows offenses, who knows what the player likes, what he wants, what he’s good at. We saw glimpses of that this offseason and this preseason, as well, so hopefully it translates to success for this offense.”
Urban Meyer was the head coach for the majority of Lawrence’s rookie season before getting fired in December after a 2-11 start to the year. Several scandals eventually led to Meyer’s dismissal, including the coach allegedly kicking the team’s kicker and apologizing for a viral video that showed him at a bar with a woman other than his wife.
Earlier this week, Lawrence said “the culture has really flipped” for the team in 2022 after hiring Pederson as the team’s new head coach in February.