Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence

In the NFL, a franchise quarterback’s success is directly tied to the strength of the offensive line in front of him—and for the Jacksonville Jaguars, protecting Trevor Lawrence has become the top priority for their offensive line heading into the 2025 season. Last year, the Jaguars’ offensive line struggled to keep pressure off Lawrence, allowing 42 sacks (15th most in the league) and forcing the young quarterback to scramble prematurely or make rushed throws. These constant disruptions not only limited the Jaguars’ passing game but also increased Lawrence’s risk of injury—a concern for a player the team has built its future around. As training camp gets underway, the Jaguars’ offensive line, which features new additions and returning veterans, has made it their mission to turn things around. Their goal isn’t just to reduce sacks; it’s to create consistent pockets for Lawrence to operate in, giving him the time he needs to connect with receivers like Calvin Ridley and Christian Kirk. For the Jaguars, a reliable offensive line isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity for competing in the AFC South. And Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence is the story of how this unit is working to become a pillar of the team’s success.

Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence begins with a look at the issues that plagued the unit last season. The problems were widespread: left tackle Cam Robinson struggled with penalties (12 holding calls) and inconsistency in pass protection, right guard Ben Bartch missed six games with a knee injury, and the center position was a rotating door after Ryan Kelly’s departure. These gaps left Lawrence vulnerable to pressure from all sides—opposing defenses often targeted the Jaguars’ weak spots with blitzes, forcing Lawrence to make split-second decisions under duress. The results were costly: Lawrence threw 16 interceptions (many under pressure) and was sacked four times in a single loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. didn’t shy away from the unit’s shortcomings, telling reporters, “We let Trevor down last year. He can’t make plays if he’s running for his life.” This offseason, the Jaguars took aggressive steps to fix the line, signing veteran left tackle Chuma Udoga in free agency and drafting center Jake Fisher in the third round of the NFL Draft. These moves were designed to add stability and talent to a unit that desperately needed both.

A closer look at the Jaguars’ revamped offensive line reveals the specific changes that have the team optimistic about protecting Lawrence. Udoga, a six-year veteran who spent the last two seasons with the New England Patriots, is the centerpiece of the overhaul. At 6-foot-6 and 315 pounds, Udoga has the size and strength to handle elite pass rushers—he allowed just three sacks in 2024—and his experience playing both left and right tackle gives the Jaguars flexibility. He’s already formed a strong bond with Lawrence, working extra reps after practice to refine their communication on blitz pickups. The center position, which was a weakness last year, now has Fisher, a rookie from Ohio State who impressed coaches with his intelligence and quickness in offseason workouts. Fisher’s ability to read defensive fronts and adjust blocking assignments on the fly has already earned him the starting job, replacing the rotating cast of players who filled the role last season. The rest of the line returns familiar faces: Bartch is healthy and back at right guard, left guard Andrew Norwell continues to be a steady run-blocker, and right tackle Walker Little has shown improvement in pass protection after a rocky 2024. Together, this group has spent the offseason focusing on cohesion—running synchronized blocking drills and studying film to identify how they can work better as a unit.

A critical factor in Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence is the unit’s focus on pass protection drills in training camp. The Jacksonville Jaguars have added specialized drills to every practice to simulate game-day pressure, including “blitz pickup” drills where defensive linemen and linebackers rush the line from different angles, forcing the offensive linemen to communicate and adjust quickly. Lawrence often participates in these drills, standing in the pocket to give the line immediate feedback on where pressure is coming from. Sparano has also implemented “pocket presence” drills, where the line practices maintaining a clean pocket for 3-5 seconds—enough time for Lawrence to scan the field and find an open receiver. These drills aren’t just about physical skill; they’re about building trust between Lawrence and the line. “Trevor needs to know he can count on us to keep him safe,” Udoga said. “Every drill we do is about proving that to him.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this trust is essential—Lawrence is more likely to stay in the pocket and make plays if he believes the line will protect him. Early signs from camp are positive: the line has allowed just five sacks in three team scrimmages, down from 12 during the same period last year.

Another key aspect of Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence is the unit’s commitment to run blocking, which indirectly helps protect Lawrence. The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offense is most effective when it balances Lawrence’s passing with a strong running game, led by Tank Bigsby. A strong run game keeps opposing defenses honest—if they have to worry about stopping Bigsby, they’re less likely to send extra blitzers after Lawrence. The offensive line has focused heavily on run-blocking drills in camp, working on zone schemes that create lanes for Bigsby to burst through. Udoga and Little have improved their ability to move downfield and seal off linebackers, while Fisher and the guards have gotten better at creating gaps in the middle. The results have been noticeable: Bigsby averaged 5.2 yards per carry in camp scrimmages, up from 3.9 yards per carry last season. Sparano noted, “A good run game is a pass protector’s best friend. It takes pressure off everyone, including Trevor.” For the Jacksonville Jaguars, this balance will be key to keeping Lawrence healthy and productive throughout the season—if the run game is working, Lawrence won’t have to carry the offense alone, and the line won’t have to face constant blitzes.

As the regular season approaches, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence remains a top storyline for the team. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, the offensive line’s success will likely determine how far the team goes—if they can keep Lawrence protected, the offense has the talent to be one of the best in the league. Lawrence, who has been vocal about his confidence in the revamped line, said, “This group has worked harder than any offensive line I’ve played with. I feel safe back there, and that allows me to play my best.” The line will face its first real test in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, who have a talented pass rush led by Brian Burns. How the Jaguars’ line handles Burns and the Panthers’ defense will be a early indicator of their progress. Regardless of the outcome, the line’s focus on protecting Lawrence won’t waver. In the end, Jacksonville Jaguars’ Offensive Line Aims to Protect Trevor Lawrence is a story of redemption and commitment—a unit that failed last year is now determined to be a strength. For the Jaguars, this commitment could be the difference between a playoff berth and another disappointing season. And for Lawrence, it could mean the difference between playing at an MVP level or being forced to fight for his life on every play.