Doug Pederson, head coach of the Jaguars, emphasizes the sense of urgency regardless of the starting quarterback
The Jaguars are in this scenario this week because of Trevor Lawrence. There are further justifications. However, Head Coach Doug Pederson stated that panic and desperation are neither essential nor useful in any situation.
Pederson said he opts for another approach.
One reason for the Jaguars’ urgency:
Since the Jaguars selected him first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence has started 48 straight games at quarterback. However, as of Wednesday, he is still in the concussion protocol. This past Sunday, during a loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Lawrence suffered the injury.
Regarding Lawrence, Pederson stated, “We have to follow the steps.” “We can’t skip anything.”
Pederson is not allowed to share specifics about players in the concussion protocol per NFL regulations. On Wednesday, he was questioned over Lawrence’s attendance at meetings.
Pederson stated, “You have to follow the steps.” “It actually depends on his symptoms and emotional state. It’s acceptable if he can sit through a meeting and remain calm. If not, you’re activating the brain, therefore we don’t put him in there. It is only predicated on symptoms. He attends those meetings, gets the game plan, listens, and does all of that if it’s his ankle or knee. Simply take each situation as it arises.”
If Lawrence is not available, C.J. Beathard, who has been Lawrence’s backup for three seasons, will start.
Beathard told the reporters that Lawrence was at the Jaguars’ training facility on Wednesday, the Miller Electric Center. “At this point, it’s really just a mindset,” Beathard said.
In his seven NFL seasons, Beathard has started 12 games. From 2017 to 2020, he was a member of the San Francisco 49ers, where he made all 12 of his starts. During his starting career, he is 2-10 with 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Beathard received first-team reps on Wednesday. With Lawrence’s status uncertain going into games against the New Orleans Saints (Week 6) and Cleveland Browns (Week 14), he also practiced a lot with first-team reps.
“To me, it’s the same,” Beathard remarked. “I’m practicing and taking a lot more reps. It’s how I’m getting ready too. You must get ready as though you are going somewhere. Trevor should then, hopefully, clear procedure by the end of the week.
“Being here or where I used to be, I’ve had a lot of practice at it. Preparation is key, even in games when the starter isn’t hurt. It’s possible that you must enter the game. That’s simply what needs to be done.”
Other reasons for the Jaguars’ urgency:
The Jaguars’ three straight losses—34-31 in overtime to the Cincinnati Bengals, 31-27 to the Cleveland Browns, and 31-27 to the Ravens—have tightened the situation in the AFC South.
Following their victory over the Houston Texans in Week 12, the Jaguars led the South by two games over both the Texans and the Indianapolis Colts (8-3). They had the upper hand over both teams in the tiebreaker as well. Due to a head-to-head tiebreaker against the Colts and a superior division record over the Texans, they are currently tied for first place with the Colts and the Texans.
“Pederson remarked, ‘I don’t know whether you ever want to be desperate. “I believe you need to have a slight sense of having your back to the wall. Now is the time to have fun. You never want to be desperate, in my opinion, as that leads to acting inappropriately.”
At Tampa, at home against the Carolina Panthers (2-12), and away from the Tennessee Titans (5-9), the Jaguars wrap up the season. Regardless of how the Colts and Texans perform in the last three games, if they win all three, they will win the division.
“We’re trying to figure out how to win the game,” Pederson stated. “It’s just mentality, a mindset, that hey, ‘Sometimes enough’s enough and you just have to take pride in the opportunities you get.”
