NFL Trade Rumors: Jacksonville Jaguars to Evaluate Quarterback Trevor Lawrence at Practice This Week

The Mac Jones era could be coming to a merciful end in Jacksonville. Speaking with the media today following the Jaguars' Week 12 bye, head coach Doug Pederson revealed that quarterback Trevor Lawrence is expected to return to practice on Monday so that the team may see how his left shoulder injury is progressing.

QBTrevor Lawrence will practice today and then they’ll see how the left shoulder is moving ahead according to HC Doug Pederson #Jaguars
— J.P. Shadrick (@jpshadrick) November 25, 2024

Lawrence has been unavailable since suffering a shoulder injury in the Jaguars' 28-23 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 9. In his stead, former New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has contributed two truly woeful losing starts, scoring 13 total points while netting 216 passing yards with three interceptions.

Lawrence has been at the center of a very disappointing season for the Jaguars in his own right, winning only two of his nine starts. Still, if his absence has taught us anything, the Jaguars have serious problems beyond whoever is playing quarterback for them. As things currently stand, they're well on their way to earning the draft's first overall pick for the third time in five years.

The Jaguars' ineptitude this season puts them in a delicate position with Lawrence. Their commitment to him is all but unbreakable; they signed him to a five-year, $275 million extension this past offseason. Their 2024 regular season is already lost, and rushing Lawrence back to the field for a chance at a few meaningless wins could cost them draft capital that could improve the team for years to come.

Still, Lawrence's long-term interests aren't necessarily the priority for the decision-makers within the organization. Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke's jobs are very much on the line. If they're going to have any chance of returning in 2025, they'll need to string some victories together in the coming weeks.

Ultimately, Baalke and Perderson's intentions are irrelevant: This iteration of the Jaguars couldn't win games even if they wanted to. With or without Lawrence, the Jags will end the 2024 season with one of the league's worst records, and owner Shahid Kahan will make massive organizational changes this offseason.