Trevor Lawrence Lamented Jaguars ‘Drama’ Hours Before Everything Got Way Worse

In Thursday’s Hot Clicks: what Jacksonville’s franchise player had to say before Urban Meyer got canned, a March Madness–style buzzer beater in the NBA and more.

Things can only go up from here

Trevor Lawrence’s rookie year couldn’t have gone much worse. After entering the league as the most-hyped quarterback prospect since Peyton Manning, he’s thrown a league-high 14 interceptions for the 2–11 Jaguars. He probably expected to have some struggles in his first year, but there’s no way he could have foreseen all the crap he’s had to deal with off the field.

When Lawrence spoke with the media Wednesday afternoon, plenty of news had recently broken about embattled coach Urban Meyer. Lawrence was asked about his relationship with the media and whether, as with his decision to publicly question Meyer’s decision to bench star running back James Robinson, he’s getting more comfortable speaking his mind. Lawrence used the opportunity to speak his mind about the “drama” surrounding the team.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of drama,” Lawrence said. “Whatever has caused everything, who even knows at this point. But there’s been a lot of drama and, for me, I think it’s important to be truthful. But with that, you can’t say everything that’s on your mind. You have to have a filter and you gotta be careful. I have a lot of appreciation for all those guys in there that’s been working to get this thing right. It hasn’t been easy. I have a lot of appreciation for the players, for the coaches, everybody.

“To just be honest, I think, is important. Obviously you can’t, like I said, always say exactly what’s on your mind, but the truth is in there somewhere always with me.”

"It’s important to be truthful, but with that, like I said, you can’t say everything that’s on your mind. You have to have a filter and you have to be careful."

(I thought the TL could use a cleanse from TL16 tonight)

📽️: @Jaguars pic.twitter.com/h8PrEQElNO

— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) December 16, 2021

“Is this more drama than you’ve ever experienced in a football season?” a reporter followed up.

“Obviously things went pretty smooth for me at Clemson, so obviously the most drama,” Lawrence replied. “But hey, I’ve gotten better in a lot of ways from this—as a leader, as a person. I’ve grown a lot.”

The circus environment may have helped Lawrence grow, but he still wishes things went smoother for the Jags.

“You’re always gonna have some form of drama,” he said. “I’ve learned that the NFL is just more drama in general than college, no matter where you're at. But you're right. There's been a lot. To your point, I do think that has to change and that's something that we need to work on, for sure.

“So you can’t always be in the headlines. You just got to go play football and that’s where we’re trying to get and I have no doubt we’ll get there, but for sure [it has to change].”

Lawrence couldn’t have known then just how much worse things were about to get. Hours later, former Jaguars kicker Josh Lambo accused Meyer of kicking him during practice. Shortly after that, Meyer was fired.

So much for fixing the drama.

The next few days are going to be a firestorm for the Jags, but ending Meyer’s toxic tenure should be just what the team needs to go back to its former drama-free ways. They just needed to hit rock-bottom first. 

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You won’t see two more unlikely shots to end a game

Devonte' Graham nails FULL COURT GAME WINNER vs. OKC 😳 pic.twitter.com/FY93dBABv0

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) December 16, 2021

Devonte' Graham made a 61-footer at the buzzer to win the game. That is the longest game-winning buzzer-beater over the last 25 years

This is the first game over the last 25 seasons to feature multiple game-tying or go-ahead shots from 30+ feet inside the 5 seconds of a game.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 16, 2021

LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis on the floor and the final shot is taken by ... Austin Reaves

Working for him sounds like fun

Former Jaguars coach Urban Meyer told Jaguars coaching staff, per league source: 'I had a better coaching staff at Bowling Green. You guys are f---ng terrible.'

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 16, 2021

He’ll be the first Antonio Gates to play college football

Gates is secured. @AntoniogatesJr1 is staying home ✅#Proce22Driven // #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/TGfXloH4VZ

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) December 15, 2021

Why doesn’t Canada belong to the Bills, too?

The NFL announces where teams have been awarded HMAs. The teams get marketing rights, chance to build fan bases in these countries. pic.twitter.com/byhQG9GFZ4

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) December 15, 2021

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A good song

Email dan.gartland@si.com with any feedback or follow me on Twitter for approximately one half-decent baseball joke per week. Bookmark this page to see previous editions of Hot Clicks and find the newest edition every day. By popular request I’ve made a Spotify playlist of the music featured here. Visit our Extra Mustard page throughout each day for more offbeat sports stories.