Jaguars' Doug Pederson noncommittal 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. Whether those changes could include starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence was unclear.

“There has to be changes, whether it’s play design, personnel, everything,” Pederson said after the Jaguars’ 47-10 loss. “Everything’s on the table, let’s call it, and those are all things that 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 dating back to last season and ranks just 30th in points per game (13.3) and 28th in points allowed per game (28.3) through three games in 2024. According to The Athletic’s playoff projections, Jacksonville has a 20 percent chance to make the postseason and a 14 percent chance to win 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 pivotal Week 4 game. When asked if potential changes include Jacksonville’s starters, including Lawrence, Pederson did not clarify.

“You say everything is on the table, we’ve got to take a look at injury,” he said. “Tonight, we had some guys injured. Could be moved that way. Could be performance. It’s all things we have to evaluate as we move forward.”

The Jaguars lost four players to injury 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 2021 No. 1 pick, has not 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 posted career lows in completion percentage (52.8, down from 65.6 last season) and yards per game (186.7). He has also been sacked on 11 percent of dropbacks, the fifth-highest percentage in the league. Lawrence’s interception Monday came on an overthrown pass intended for rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. in the second quarter, which was picked off by Damar Hamlin.

“Everyone takes their turn making a bad play at the wrong time, including myself,” Lawrence said. “I know that I’m not playing as good as I can play, just point blank. There’s plays out there like the one to Brian … just a throw you miss and it turns into a turnover.”

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

Jacksonville’s defense allowed touchdowns on Buffalo’s first five possessions, allowing the Bills to take a 34-3 halftime lead that doubled as the largest halftime deficit in Jaguars history. Jacksonville is the only team in the NFL that has not forced a turnover, a year after finishing tied for 10th in the category.

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

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(Photo: Scott Galvin / Imagn Images)



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