JACKSONVILLE – Trevor Lawrence likes what he's seeing.

That's because he has seen significant growth as the Jaguars' 2024 offseason enters its final weeks.

"We've gotten a lot better," he said.

Lawrence spoke to the media Monday as the team opened its last week of 2024 Organized Team Activities at the Miller Electric Center. The availability likely marked the last time the Jaguars' starting quarterback will speak to the media before 2024 Training Camp in late July.

Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, discussed multiple topics – including his ongoing contract discussions with the organization.

"Obviously, I'm aware of what's going on," he said, "but I try to keep my focus on doing my job out here. I have full belief that'll take care of itself, and that's not something that I need to worry about.

"That's why I pay people and hire people to do that for me. That's not my job. I know what's going on. I'm aware of the situation. I think that's important, too. But I try to keep all my focus and energy on being the best player I can be to help us win."

The recent trend in the NFL has been for "franchise" quarterbacks to agree-to/sign contract extensions between their third and fourth NFL seasons, with Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals, Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Justin Herbert of the Los Angeles Chargers following that timeline.

"I think that would be ideal, just to put it behind us and keep moving and feel good about that going into training camp," Lawrence said. "I can't always control all those factors, but I have the same job to do either way. That'd be ideal, to get it done as soon as you can and move forward."

Mostly on Monday, Lawrence focused on the Jaguars' growth this season – and the importance of these weeks in continuing that growth.

The team selected wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. No. 23 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft, also signing wide receiver Gabe Davis and center Mitch Morse as free agents. The Jaguars also revamped the defense this offseason, hiring Ryan Nielsen as coordinator and signing free agents such as tackle Armstead, cornerback Ronald Darby and safety/nickel Darnell Savage Jr.

"The tempo, the intensity that we've had in OTAs has been definitely a step up from the past couple of years," Lawrence said. "I know that was a point of emphasis for us, is to really take advantage of this time that we get. Come training camp, you want to feel like you're on your way to being a well-oiled machine.

"Obviously, you have work to do, but you want to use this time, maximize it so when you get to training camp, you feel like you're a step ahead of where we were last year, even just other teams around the league. You want to try to get every advantage you can, and taking advantage of these practices is important."

NOTABLE

• Jaguars rookie wide receiver David White Jr. sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury during OTAs last week, an injury he announced on social media Sunday. "It was noncontact and unfortunate – just running around," Head Coach Doug Pederson said Monday morning. "He was having a really good offseason. We'll wish him well during the recovery. We'll get him back and hopefully for him everything is positive." White, who played locally at Westside High School, played at Western Carolina and Valdosta State and signed with the Jaguars as an undrafted collegiate free agent shortly after the 2024 NFL Draft.

NOTABLE II

• Pederson on Monday discussed the likely impact on and off the field of Armstead, who signed with the Jaguars as a free agent after being released by the San Francisco 49ers earlier this offseason. Arik Armstead played his first nine NFL seasons with the 49ers. "I think he's going to be a really good leader," Pederson said. "Right now, it's tough for him because he's not out there competing with the guys. But he's one of those players you don't need to see a lot because he has a track record and a history. He has been there. He has been at the top, the pinnacle. He has been to Super Bowls. He knows how to do it. That's the part I'm encouraged by. I'm just looking forward to him getting out there and really mix it up with the guys." Armstead hasn't participated in OTAs while recovering from a meniscus injury sustained last season. Pederson said Armstead and two other players returning from injuries – wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) and Roy Roberston-Harris – should be fully ready for training camp.