Quarterback Trevor Lawrence needed more weapons and the Jacksonville Jaguars management went out and got them, through the draft and free agency.
But there was one vital area the team addressed in a more minimal fashion, and that was the main reason the offense dropped off in almost every category last season — and the main reason Lawrence played hurt most of the season.
But as usual, optimism abounds.
"Last year injuries, unfortunately, kind of hurt us in some different positions," said Lawrence, who threw for 4,106 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. "So that's always going to be important to stay healthy because you need your guys out there. But as far as depth ... as far as talent, I think this is the most talented team for sure since I've been here that we've had. I feel really good."
If the talent is better, the Jaguars' 2023 offensive numbers should rise accordingly. They went from 10th in the league in total offense (357.3 yards per game) and 10th in scoring (25.9 points per game) in 2022, to 12th in total yards (339.5) and 15th in scoring (22.2) last season.
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The biggest drop-off came in rushing, where the Jaguars were 14th in the league and a healthy 124.5 yards per game in 2022 to 23rd last season at 96.8 yards.
The Jaguars were 30th in the NFL, two spots from the bottom, at 3.6 yards per rush — despite Travis Etienne posting another 1,000-yard season.
Short yardage situations were even worse. The Jaguars converted third-and-three or less 52.2 percent of the time last season (36 of 69), ranking 28th in the league. By contrast, Buffalo led the league with 73percent on third-and-short and were 87.1 percent (27 of 31) on third-and-one.
And any improvement needs to start with Lawrence and his ball security. He had 14 interceptions and tied for first in the NFL in lost fumbles with seven. He has 60 career turnovers.
"It's the biggest thing that he has to focus on moving forward," Pederson said after the 2023 season. "We just can't have this amount of turnovers. How we turn the ball over, where we turn the ball over, it doesn't matter. We've got to protect the football. That's the No. 1 thing."
Jaguars made few changes on the line
The offensive line issues were at the heart of the matter. The unit was simply not reliable in short-yardage and red-zone situations and the Jaguars upgraded only marginally by signing center Mitch Morse in free agency and drafting tackle Javon Foster, who is a work in progress.
Otherwise, the Jaguars will ride with tackles Anton Harrison and Cam Robinson and guards Brandon Scherff and Ezra Cleveland. Walker Little will be the swing tackle and there was some promising play in training camp and the preseason from guard Cooper Hodges and tackle Cole Van Lanen.
Who's new for the offense?
Morse, a 10-year veteran who played at Buffalo and Kansas City and WRs Devin Duvernay and Gabe Davis were the key free agency pickups. Duvernay, signed away from Baltimore, has speed to burn and Davis was a deep threat at Buffalo.
But the new player who is being counted on to stretch defenses the most is first-round draft pick WR Brian Thomas Jr., who started slowly in camp but warmed up and showed a great connection with Lawrence. He's fast enough to take the top off a secondary, is a good route-runner and appears set to follow JaMarr Chase and Justin Jefferson as LSU wide receivers making an impact in the NFL.
Lawrence still has his old reliables: WR Christian Kirk (141 receptions for 1,895 yards and 11 touchdowns in 29 games for the Jaguars) and TE Evan Engram (114 receptions, second-most for an NFL tight end, 963 yards and four TDs in 2023).
How improved will the Jaguars' offense be in 2024?
The skill position group is measurably better and despite his injury-plagued 2023 season, and with his second contract behind him, the assumption is that Lawrence will continue improving.
Etienne has been used more as a pass receiver in camp and preseason games and seems to relish an increased role in the passing game and backup RB Tank Bigsby has vastly improved his ball security issues and has been running hard inside. Coaches are enthusiastic about the progress made by Van Lanen and Hodges to provide depth on the line.
What is the biggest question for the offense ahead of the 2024 season?
Everything starts and ends with the offensive line and its ability to block for the run and keep Lawrence upright. Lawrence had a career-high 35 sacks last season and his passer rating, completion percentage and TD passes dropped, and his interception rate increased.
The Jaguars seemed to be better in the red zone during training camp and preseason games and in the final game at Atlanta, scored twice on third down inside the 10 on passes from Lawrence to Engram.
Why will Trevor Lawrence be most important part of the offense in 2024?
The reasons are obvious. If he's the quarterback the Jaguars think he is (and they put 275 million reasons behind that thought process), he should take another leap forward like his second season in 2022.
Lawrence’s numerous injuries derailed his progress last season but given all the adversity last season, the Jags were still in position to win the division by beating a bad Tennessee team at home in the final game of the season.
Yes, Lawrence needs help, from his line and his surrounding cast of skill position players. But elite quarterbacks find ways to rise above weaknesses on other areas of the team. It's time for Lawrence to prove it.
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