JACKSONVILLE – He's in a good place these days, and that's a good thing for Trevor Lawrence.
It's good for the Jaguars, too.
"I feel great, and that's how it should be," he said.
Lawrence, the Jaguars' fourth-year starting quarterback, joined senior writer John Oehser for this week's 2024 offseason O-Zone podcast. He discussed multiple topics, including his ongoing contract negotiations with the team and just how injuries affected him late last season.
He also said he likes the team's approach during the offseason program, which nears its conclusion this week with Week 3 of 2024 Organized Team Activities at the Miller Electric Center.
"There really has been a heightened sense of urgency, just in OTAs," Lawrence said. "This has been the most intense OTAs I've been a part of. You understand what OTAs aren't. They're not the prize. The main thing is to win your reps.
"But they're important because they prepare you. We understand the big picture. There has to be an intensity that we show the young guys and the rookies coming in. We're not just messing around.
"That intensity has been there this year, and it has been awesome. You have to take that into training camp. That's when it gets really intense. But the tone has to start now."
Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, also elaborated on why he feels so good as the '24 offseason draws to a close. One reason is he's healthy after leaving four different games with different injuries last season, including three as the Jaguars lost five of their final six regular-season games to miss the postseason.
But mostly, he said he feels in command of the Jaguars' offense – and he is confident he can take advantage of the increased knowledge and experience of being in Head Coach Doug Pederson's offensive system for a third consecutive season.
"Every year you should get more confident, more comfortable, especially if you're in the same system," he said. "It feels good going on Year 3. I really feel like this offseason, I've had a big role not necessarily changing who we're going to be, but just being a part of those conversations. [Offensive coordinator] Press [Taylor] and Doug have done a good job of keeping me involved.
"That lets me own it even more. I know what we're trying to do. I know what we're trying to accomplish, whether that's in practice or in the season. I know what this offseason we're trying to get better at.
"That that makes you own it even more, and then you know it more. You know the ins and outs. All those things help me help everyone around me. I think that's where I've definitely taken another step."
Listen to the entire O-Zone Podcast with Lawrence below. Listen to more episodes from the O-Zone HERE.
