Trevor Lawrence says Jaguars can make a run if he steps up his play

Trevor Lawrence was a massive catalyst for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ turnaround season. After leading the NFL in interceptions during an abysmal 3-14 year in 2021, Lawrence earned Pro Bowl honors in his second season.

His leap forward in 2022 helped the Jaguars earn the AFC South title, and Lawrence is looking to continue that upward trajectory into the 2023 season.

“If I can just take a step this year like I did from year one to two, it is going to give us a good shot to win every week,” Lawrence told Martin Rogers of FOX Sports earlier this month.

Lawrence, 23, finished his rookie season with a 71.9 passer rating and ended 2022 with a 95.2 rating.

Largest passer rating increase — No. 1 overall pick from Year 1 to Year 2

Terry Bradshaw — +29.3 (1971)
Trevor Lawrence — +23.3 (2022)
John Elway — +21.9 (1984)
Peyton Manning — +19.5 (1999)
Joe Burrow — +18.5 (2021)#Jaguars #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/HCC1C5y2QN

— Jeff Kerr (@JeffKerrCBS) January 11, 2023

Expecting Lawrence to add another 23 points to his rating is extremely unrealistic. But if Lawrence elevates his play even a little bit higher in 2023, it’d take him to a level of quarterback play that the Jaguars have never had in their history.

Would it be enough for a Super Bowl run?

“One hundred percent,” Lawrence told Rogers. “We have all the pieces that we need to make a run. That’s our goal. We are not going to settle for less than that. That’s the goal moving forward. After the experience we had and being able to make it the divisional round and have a chance to win that game, guys are going to use that as fuel.

“That was a big part of this year, proving and showing that we belong. I think we’ve shown that and it’s really exciting, the years to come, next year especially, for what we have the opportunity to do.”

Oddsmakers seem to agree, listing the Jaguars among the top 10 teams in odds to win the Super Bowl next season. Only a handful of quarterbacks are listed with better odds to be named NFL MVP than Lawrence.