Troy Aikman defends Trevor Lawrence amid early struggles, offers advice to 'clean up game'

The Trevor Lawrence–Urban Meyer partnership was a trainwreck. The Lawrence-Doug Pederson pairing was better but never reached the highs it flashed in 2022.

Now, Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, is on head coach and offensive play caller No. 3 in his fifth season in the NFL. Liam Coen is the new man in charge, coaching in his fifth game in Monday’s Week 5 home contest against the Kansas City Chiefs. That much change can have a negative impact on a young quarterback, Troy Aikman said on “Monday Night Countdown.” Still, Aikman is a believer in Lawrence and his ability to improve on some of the things that have held him back at this point in his career.

“He’s had three offensive play callers, and I think that impacts a career,” Aikman said. “And then of course, last year getting hurt, coming in this year with a new scheme, a new way of doing things. I like Trevor Lawrence a lot. Obviously, he’s a talented guy. There are things within his game that have to get cleaned up, he certainly understands that. The passing game isn’t where it needs to be.

“To me, when I watch him, he’s got to make the lay-ups. He’s got to make the easy ones, and there’s too many easy throws he’s missing and then there’s one to two, three plays each week that he puts the ball in harm’s way. You can’t do that if you’re going to be a good football team.”

Coen arrived in Jacksonville after spending one season calling plays for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay’s offense was one of the NFL’s best, and quarterback Baker Mayfield had a career year under center. It’s early, but to this point, Lawrence hasn’t made that jump under Coen.

Trevor Lawrence still searching for consistency in the NFL

Entering Monday night, Lawrence has thrown for 845 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions on a career-low 58.3% passing. He ranks 30th in the league with a 75.1 passer rating.

The passing game has been inconsistent, though the Jaguars have run the ball effectively. Only three teams have run it better than Jacksonville this season. Aikman explained why Lawrence has played a role in their success on the ground.

“The more you’re thinking, the less you’re out playing. He’s always wore a wristband, and this is the first year he’s not wearing a wristband,” Aikman said. “At first, it was Liam Coen who wanted him to be able to visualize the play as he calls it. I understand that because if you’re going off a wristband, you really don’t start thinking about the play until you get under center. He’s gotten so accustomed to that now, that he doesn’t even wear it even though he now could.

“He’s doing a lot at the line of scrimmage. I think a lot of what he’s done well goes unnoticed and it’s within the run game. It’s one of the reasons they’ve run the ball as well as they’ve had, is because he’s put them in favorable plays at the line of scrimmage.”

Lawrence on Monday has an opportunity to perform on the national stage against the reigning AFC champions. He is looking forward to the challenge.

“They’ve been the top dog,” Lawrence said. “They’ve kind of run the conference, and this is an opportunity for us to show what kind of team we are.”