The Jacksonville Jaguars enter a fresh phase this Saturday with the first preseason game under Head Coach Liam Coen’s leadership. With only three preseason games available and several players recovering from last season’s injuries, the team faces a challenging decision about who will see playing time during this limited evaluation period.
Coach Coen’s Approach to Game-Day Personnel Decisions
Regarding the lineup for the upcoming game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Coach Coen explained that the team has yet to finalize its plan. He said,
“Not yet. We’re still working through it. We wanted to kind of get through these next two padded days, to evaluate, see where we’re at as a group, before making that decision,”
reflecting a cautious and thorough approach to the roster decisions.
Trevor Lawrence’s Readiness and Expectations for the Season Opener
After a challenging year in 2024, quarterback Trevor Lawrence is preparing himself to take the field in the preseason opener, expressing eagerness to contribute. He commented,
“Yes, I’m expecting to play. [I’m] preparing myself to play,”
adding,
“Not sure exactly what the plan is yet. I think we’re still evaluating some stuff, but yeah, I’m ready to go if so. I’ll be excited to get back out there. It’s been a while, so anytime you can play – even preseason – it means something to get on that field. I’ll be ready to go if that’s the case. If not, the other guys will be ready to roll.”
Lawrence’s Focus on Clean Play and Execution in Preseason Action
Lawrence emphasized his goals for himself and the offense during the first preseason game, highlighting the importance of discipline and swift execution.
“Just to play clean. No penalties, operation in and out of the huddle quick, get up to the line, communicate, just play clean ball and execute whatever’s there. Obviously, the plan—there’s not as much game planning when you’re talking about preseason games. So, not sure exactly the plan as far as what we’re going to do, but whatever it is, it’s stuff we’ve done all training camp, I’m sure. So, just execution at a high level,”
he stated.
What This Preseason Means for the Jaguars and Their Fans
Whether Lawrence takes snaps this weekend or not, his role as a leader and the attention he gives to game preparation will remain crucial. As the Jaguars step into this new era in Duval, the team’s progress over these first games will help shape the foundation for the rest of the season and beyond. This preseason marks an important step in assessing the roster and solidifying the team’s identity under Coen’s guidance.