(Editor’s note: This story is a sample from “Jaguars Uncaged,” the new twice-a-week newsletter offered by the Florida Times-Union. Here’s how you can sign up for stories and analysis to be sent straight to your email.)
Just because the Jacksonville Jaguars wrapped up their offseason workout program it doesn’t mean the work is done. The team has officially been dismissed for summer vacation and will return in late July for the start of training camp.
They endured three phases of offseason work: Activation, walk through, and on-field competition. Now, they get a chance to relax a bit before the grind of training camp and preseason, followed by the regular season.
But first, several members of the roster will take their yearly summer group trip as a way to strengthen ties and build some extra chemistry.
“We work and we throw and we train and we do all that stuff but it’s more for the comradery and getting to know each other,” quarterback Trevor Lawrence said during his final media availability of the offseason. “Getting to know these guys more than just the four hours we spend together here because we’re in meetings most of the time.”
It’s an annual tradition that started in Lawrence’s second year with the Jaguars. He and a few of the team’s new receivers spent extra time together prior to the start of training camp in 2022.
It helped build a connection between them as Lawrence tried to turn the page on a turbulent rookie season. And the tradition has continued ever since, with trips to Arizona and the Bahamas in recent years.
Former receiver Dyami Brown vlogged the trip last year and gave an inside look at the extra chemistry that’s built during the time away. The invitation extended beyond just offensive players with kicker Cam Little making the trip in 2025.
“I think just getting the whole group together builds that bond and that chemistry and it’s been great over the years doing it,” Lawrence said. “I feel like guys get tighter and you know each other a little bit better going into training camp and I feel like it helps our team.”
Trevor Lawrence’s continuity with receivers has been clear this summer
Unlike last season, Lawrence has some continuity in Jacksonville’s offense. In fact, this is the first offseason in his carrer that all of Lawrence’s pass catchers carried over from the previous season.
The receivers who started against the Buffalo Bills in the playoff game are the same ones expected to start against Cleveland on Sept. 13. That continuity allows Lawrence the ability to breeze through this offseason with a familiarity he hasn’t quite had during his career.
The additions of Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, Calvin Ridley, Gabe Davis, Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter meant every offseason Lawrence had to learn a new starting pass catcher.
Not this year.
“I think you see the comfort, the confidence of guys running around knowing what to do,” Lawrence said. “Obviously, there’s still mistakes that we’re going to learn from and build off of, but as far as guys just knowing what to do and being able to take that next step.”
Even from an outsider’s perspective, Lawrence and the offense looked cleaner and were able to hit on more explosive plays during offseason workouts.
The connection with Thomas showed up every single practice as the pairing connected on several deep shots. Parker Washington continued to shine in his first offseason with a solidified role.
And Jakobi Meyers flexed some positional versatility he didn’t fully show during his first season with the team.
“I think there’s just so many different things that we can do that’ll open up our offense to where we’re not predictable,” Lawrence said.
Why Trevor Lawrence is more confident entering 2026 season
Lawrence had his best statistical season last year with the Jaguars. He is now set up to have an even better season now that the newness of Liam Coen’s offense has worn off.
He hasn’t been shy about taking risks during practice to see what throws he can and cannot make against certain coverages. That came up a lot this offseason as Lawrence tested himself against Jacksonville’s defense.
Lawrence and the starting offense got the better of Jacksonville’s defense more times than not this offseason. That’s not always typical for this time of the year. Normally, defenses are ahead of offenses because they can inherently be more physical and are installing less complex coverages at this time of the year.
In 7-on-7 work and 11-on-11 work Jacksonville’s starting offense held their own and exploited matchups without scheming as Coen, Grant Udinski and Anthony Campanile have emphasized that this is the install stage of the offseason.
“It’s just a lot calmer,” Lawrence said of this offseason compared to lasts. “A lot more confident in my progressions and what I know about the system and stepping out so when I get on the grass it’s a lot less thinking. I can react, play faster, can work on some different things of my game because the focus isn’t as much on what to do.”
Even with that confidence growing, Lawrence is keyed in on self-improvement. He etched himself as one of the best players if franchise history — as if it wasn’t already obvious — and is attempting to have even more success in 2026.
He recorded 4,007 passing yards and 29 touchdowns through the air while also adding 359 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. He finished as an MVP finalist and earned a nomination for Comeback Player of the Year.
Even with the season he had last year, Lawrence is not focused on the rearview mirror. He’s looking out the windshield at the possibility of even more success.
And that success continues during the break as Lawrence works on his individual growth.
“For me, footwork, strength, getting in shape, all those things,” Lawrence said of what he’ll personally work on during the time away. “Staying in shape and coming back ready to go in training camp so we can pick back up right where we left off.”
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Inside Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence’s tradition to build team chemistry
Reporting by Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Juston Lewis, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
