Trevor Lawrence: ‘I lacked confidence’ before switch flipped

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence struggled as a rookie, finishing his first season with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. After a strong start to the 2022 season, it started to look like more of the same when Lawrence threw four touchdowns and five interceptions in the month of October.

Then things flipped in a major way.

Since the start of November, Lawrence has 14 touchdown passes, two rushing touchdowns, and only two interceptions. So what changed?

“I know in order to play this game at a high level you have to be really, really confident and I think lacked that the last year or so prior to this run we’ve gone on,” Lawrence told ESPN’s Jeff Darlington on NFL Countdown. “I had a lot of conversations with different players and coaches, and just got to the point where I was like, ‘I have to just go play free.’”

“That was just the point when I was like, ‘Man, I gotta be better for this team, for the guys around me. In order for us to get where we want to go, I have to start playing better.’”

Lawrence’s confidence has been easy to see. While he’s been much better about keeping the ball out of danger of being intercepted, he’s also more willing than ever to fire the ball downfield.

Big time throw by Lawrence and diving catch by Marvin Jones. pic.twitter.com/Uos4nt5vEW

— Laurie Fitzpatrick (@LaurieFitzptrck) November 13, 2022

The elevated play of Lawrence has been the catalyst for the Jaguars winning five of their last six and four straight heading into Week 18. With a win Saturday against the Tennessee Titans, the Jaguars would earn their second ever AFC South title.