Ever since Travis Hunter got drafted nearly a month ago by the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s been a trendy take to say something to the effect of “Trevor Lawrence doesn’t have any excuses anymore”. Regardless of existing in the same universe where Brock Purdy just got over $180 million guaranteed from the San Francisco 49ers for the next five years, Lawrence has been scrutinized since signing his five-year, $142 million guaranteed contract in 2024. However, statements of pressure and criticism aside, the truth is that the Jags front office has delivered on the change they’ve promised since Trent Baalke was released as the club’s general manager; they may actually have put the Jags field general in a position to have a career year.

1. Travis Hunter

The jaw-dropping nature of the trade with the Cleveland Browns to land the Jags Travis Hunter while the Cleveland Browns would end up with Mason Graham and a 1st round pick in 2026 among other things at the 2025 NFL Draft sets the table for a cascade of improvement opportunities in the offense. Hunter is himself a formidable weapon as a receiver (no matter how much time he spends playing defensive back as a dual-role player). That reverberates further when one considers that Brian Thomas Jr. had a rookie year performance leading to speculation that he may become the best Jaguars receiver of all time one day if he remains consistent. The Jaguars also brought speedster wide receiver Dyami Brown from the Washington Commanders. Good enough to be a number two receiver on an NFL roster, the scuttlebutt is that he will be listed at three.

However, when one considers BTJ’s prowess as a slot receiver in a package that lines up these three players out wide, the chances of winning big are better than anything a lottery ticket or casino could provide. However, that also requires that Lawrence remain uninjured.

2. The Offensive Line

While the Duval Devout could very easily point out that one of the reasons for their Jaguars’ struggles in the previous two seasons is related to the fact that Lawrence has missed significant time due to injury, that isn’t something that starts and ends with him. The Jaguars offensive line has been an issue in its own right — not just in protection, but in the ground game.

Both of these factors made life more difficult for Lawrence. The inability to advance the ball on the ground as evidenced by running back Travis Etienne having one of the worst rates of yardage before first hit in the past two seasons makes the offense one-dimensional which means defenses will blitz the quarterback with more reckless abandon. And when defenses blitz more often against a team whose line struggles in protection, it’s only a matter of time before Lawrence takes a big hit.

This is why they brought in four offensive linemen with NFL starting experience in the offseason while also drafting Wyatt Milum and Jonah Monheim. With six new bodies in the room, this represents the largest turnover for a position group on the team — and they needed it.

3. The Running Backs

With all the offensive linemen brought in, there has not only been an emphasis on protecting Trevor Lawrence, but also to add support to the offense. This way, he’s not asked to win for the offense with only his arm. Despite Etienne struggling with a bad offensive line, he has two thousand-yard seasons in the three years he’s played so far after missing his entire rookie year due to injury.

This doesn’t even account for the pass-catching ability of both Etienne and their Virginia Tech draftee Bhayshal Tuten. Over and above Tuten having one of the fastest times at the 2025 NFL Combine, he is also an excellent receiving threat. So, if the wide receiver corps is somehow contained by a defense and the offensive line is outmatched by a defensive front on a play, Lawrence has weapons that can make a defenses pay should they sell out to stop the pass.