Jacksonville Jaguars Face Drop Crisis Threatening Trevor Lawrence

The Jacksonville Jaguars' offense took a major step forward in 2025, but one glaring issue threatens to derail Trevor Lawrence's progress: dropped passes. Jacksonville's receivers dropped 40 of 417 catchable targets, a league-high 9.6% drop rate—the worst since 2021. Despite this, the Jaguars still finished 13-4 (3rd in AFC) and scored 32 receiving touchdowns, tied for seventh in the NFL.

What Went Wrong for the Jaguars' Offense?

Lawrence thrived in Liam Coen's system, posting his first career PFF passing grade above 80.0. He showed patience in the pocket, dropping from third-fastest to 21st in average time to throw. When plays broke down, he became a dual-threat, rushing for career highs in yards (417) and touchdowns (4). Yet, the Jaguars' 21.4% contested-target rate—the second-highest in five years—only worsened after the Week 8 bye, rising to 23.4%.

Why Drops Are a Bigger Problem Than Personnel

Twelve Jaguars players dropped at least one pass, with Brian Thomas Jr. leading the way with eight. The issue wasn't isolated, suggesting it's fixable without major roster changes. Parker Washington emerged as a bright spot, catching 15 of 20 contested targets after the bye and finishing as the team's leading receiver (58 catches, 847 yards, 5 TDs).

What Comes Next for Jacksonville?

The Jaguars return key pieces like Thomas, Jakobi Meyers (483 yards, 3 TDs in nine games), and Brenton Strange (46 catches, 540 yards). Travis Hunter could also contribute in offensive packages. With drops often fluctuating year-to-year, the team must prioritize this issue in training camp. Lawrence has proven he can excel in Coen's system—now, his receivers must step up before the 2026 opener vs. the Cleveland Browns on September 13.