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Jaguars’ Doug Pederson Still Undecided on Trevor Lawrence, But Promises ‘Changes’ After 0-3 Start
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Jaguars’ Doug Pederson Still Undecided on Trevor Lawrence, But Promises ‘Changes’ After 0-3 Start

The Jacksonville Jaguars will make changes after a blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Monday dropped the team to 0-3, coach Doug Pederson said. It was unclear whether those changes would include starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

“There’s got to be changes, whether it’s game design, personnel, everything,” Pederson said after the Jaguars’ 47-10 loss. “Everything’s on the table, let’s call it that, and those are all things I have to look at. We have to look at it as a staff and make the adjustments.”

Jacksonville has lost eight of nine games since last season and ranks just 30th in points per game (13.3) and 28th in points against per game (28.3) through three games in 2024. According to The Athletics‘s playoff projections, Jacksonville has a 20 percent chance of making the postseason and a 14 percent chance of winning the AFC South. Both numbers are about half of the Jaguars’ preseason probabilities (40 percent, 27 percent).

The team plays the AFC South-leading Texans (2-1) in a crucial game in Week 4. When asked if possible changes include Jacksonville’s starters, including Lawrence, Pederson did not elaborate.

“You say everything is on the table, we have to look at injuries,” he said. “Tonight we had a couple of guys injured. We can go that way. Performance can go too. It’s all things we have to evaluate as we go forward.”

The Jaguars lost four players to injuries on Monday: nickel back Jarrian Jones (shoulder), linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (foot), right tackle Anton Harrison (knee) and receiver Gabe Davis (shoulder).

The Jaguars’ 0-3 start is their worst since 2021.

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Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, hasn’t won a start since Nov. 26, 2023. On Tuesday, he was 21 of 38 for 178 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Through three games, he has career lows in completion percentage (52.8, down from 65.6 last season) and yards per game (186.7). He also has been sacked on 11 percent of dropbacks, fifth-best in the league. Lawrence’s interception Monday came on a deflected pass intended for rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the second quarter that was intercepted by Damar Hamlin.

“Everybody takes their turn to make a bad play at the wrong time, myself included,” Lawrence said. “I know I’m not playing as well as I can play, just point blank. There’s plays like the one to Brian … just a shot that you miss and it turns into a turnover.”

The Jaguars traded Mac Jones — once a first-round pick by the New England Patriots — in the offseason to replace Lawrence.

Jacksonville’s defense allowed touchdowns on Buffalo’s first five possessions, giving the Bills a 34-3 halftime lead that was also the largest halftime deficit in Jaguars history. Jacksonville is the only team in the NFL not to have forced a turnover, a year after finishing 10th in the category.

Asked if Lawrence needs to play “clearly better,” Pederson said, “I need everybody to coach and play better. Let’s leave it at that.”

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(Photo: Scott Galvin / Imagn Images)