Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer caught a ton of flack for keeping QB Trevor Lawrence in the line of fire during the preseason game against the Saints.
When the Jaguars used the No. 1 overall pick on Trevor Lawrence, they hoped to get a generational quarterback. The toughest part would be to get him through his rookie year unscathed.
Unfortunately for Jaguars fans, the preseason is already proving what kind of danger Lawrence is in. He might not even make it to the season at this rate.
In Monday’s preseason game against the Saints, Lawrence got thrown around. A lot.
Trevor Lawrence makes the throw while taking a hit https://t.co/f3LIObmiTW
— , (@dubs4o8) August 24, 2021
The @Saints defense isn't exactly giving rookie QB Trevor Lawrence a "warm" welcome to the NFL pic.twitter.com/8VSoMwXLgR
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 24, 2021
It was a rough first half for the quarterback. He went 14-of-23 for 113 yards while struggling to get the offensive going.
NFL Twitter is not happy with Urban Meyer’s handling of Trevor Lawrence
While the performance was lackluster, NFL Twitter was mostly concerned over his health if head coach Urban Meyer insisted on keeping him in the game.
Urban Meyer is going to get Trevor Lawrence killed.
— Matt Lombardo 🏈 (@MattLombardoNFL) August 24, 2021
Urban Meyer has NEVER had a QB as good as Trevor Lawrence. Why would you leave him out there late in the 2nd qtr of this PRESEASON game. OL has been BAD for 2wks straight. PROTECT your #1 asset!!! 🤔🤷🏾♂️👎🏿 pic.twitter.com/UG3l1YDgm0
— Ike Reese (@Ike58Reese) August 24, 2021
Others wondered if Meyer would even have a role in Lawrence’s future development.
Urban Meyer when someone asks him if he thinks Trevor Lawrence will be the starting QB by Week 4 pic.twitter.com/AvtJ4pl60o
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) August 24, 2021
Not that Lawrence was doing much to protect himself.
Love the effort but this is the last thing Urban Meyer wants Trevor Lawrence doing in a preseason game pic.twitter.com/he7Qmvc6mE
— Ethan Cadeaux (@Ethan_Cadeaux) August 24, 2021
That’s the best reason Meyer should have had for taking Lawrence out. He shouldn’t expect his young quarterback to give anything less than 100 percent.
Meyer has got to see that he doesn’t have a functioning offensive line capable of keeping his most valuable asset safe.
“Trevor Lawrence drops back!”
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) August 24, 2021
The Jags’ OL: pic.twitter.com/g5YNz1enAT
Lawrence is still battling with Gardner Minshew for the starting job. Given the Jaguars roster, it may be better for him not to end up in the firing line each week.
The former Clemson star has one more preseason game against the Cowboys to get a bit more comfortable with the NFL level. When the Jaguars open the season against the Texans, everything will get even more real.