Trevor Lawrence ‘Excited & Optimistic,’ Brushes Away Trade Rumors Following Disappointing 2024 Season

It’s been four years since Trevor Lawrence entered the NFL as the first overall pick, touted as the next generational quarterback. Since then, he’s led the Jacksonville Jaguars to a single season over .500 – 2022, when they went 9-8 and made it to the divisional round of the playoffs – and has led the league in interceptions once and fumbles lost twice.

The team the Jaguars have built around Lawrence often hasn’t looked pretty, and the management has been tumultuous, to say the least. Not to mention that, after a 2-8 run to start the 2024 season, Lawrence was injured in early December on a hit by Houston Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair widely decried as dirty. But the team went 2-5 the rest of the way with Mac Jones at the helm, and that sends a message, too.

Despite the setbacks, Lawrence has reaffirmed his confidence in the Jaguars, especially after a management swap landed the team new head coach Liam Coen.

While 2024 was Coen’s first full season in the NFL, serving as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator, his offense put up top-five performances in total offense (scoring, rushing and passing), third-down percentage and red-zone touchdown percentage. His offensive structure elevated Baker Mayfield‘s game – and Lawrence is hoping the magic will continue.

“I like everything that we have in place so far — coach Coen and the whole staff that he’s brought in so far,” Lawrence told Kay Adams. “So, I’m really excited and optimistic about the future.”

Lawrence noted details of Cohen’s offensive scheme that he was excited for, but also put emphasis on the energy he’s bringing to the organization. “[H]aving that energy day-in, day-out is, I think, something that our team needs,” he said.

“We’ve been through a lot. The last two seasons have been… not what we expected after what we did two years ago. And I think this team just needs some juice, and I know he’s going to bring that.”

In the interview, Lawrence also brushed away any rumors of a prospective trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

“I have a no-trade clause in my contract, so I would know about it if I was getting traded or if that was something that was going to happen,” Lawrence said. “I would have to be on board with it, which I’m not. I’m happy here in Jacksonville. We want to win a Super Bowl here and I think we can do that. I don’t want to leave Jacksonville, so I’m happy here. Not going to Pittsburgh.”

With Lawrence locked in and ready to make a return in 2025, the Jaguars will have to wait and see whether a change in leadership will help him live up to his potential.