Trevor Lawrence will lead the Jaguars' offense when they kick off the 2021 season against the Texans, Jacksonville coach Urban Meyer announced on Wednesday. While Lawrence was expected to be the Jaguars' Week 1 starter, Meyer waited until he'd had two preseason games to evaluate being making it official.
The announcement comes less than 48 hours after Lawrence went 14 of 23 for 113 yards in Jacksonville's 23-21 loss in New Orleans. Gardner Minshew, who started 20 games for the Jaguars over the last two seasons, went 13 of 21 for 149 yards with an interception during the second half of Monday night's game.
Lawrence embraced what had still been an open position battle entering Monday.
"I just think it's all about competition," Lawrence told ESPN's Jeff Darlington. "Especially I know coming from college like that was the same way once I came into Clemson. Kelly Bryant was the returning starter, was quarterback the year before, had a good season and coming into that it's like -- you don't just walk in and get handed things, and I just think that's a good way to run an organization, a team, whatever. People have to earn whatever they're given."
While Lawrence will open the season as the Jaguars' starting quarterback, Meyer has publicly expressed confidence in Minshew, whom Meyer praised for his competitive fire in trying to win his position battle against Lawrence.
"Minshew's not giving it up," Meyer said prior Monday night's game, via Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "I've been asked that question, I've been looking at people like they've got several heads, like what are you talking about. Yes, competition brings out the best in all of us. But this is not a circus here. There's a guy that actually has done O.K. in the NFL, not great yet, but Gardner Minshew, his numbers are decent. He's a much different player than Trevor.
"Trevor's a down-the-field passer, this guy's a scramble-around, make-plays guy, but I'll tell you what he really is, he's a warrior. And I appreciate warriors. It's a street fight right now. When someone says, Oh, come on, well, why'd you ask me that question? It is what it is. It's a battle. I see the stats every day, and the greatest thing that can happen is that it becomes a street fight for as long as possible."
Meyer's announcement comes a day after the Jaguars were hit with the news that running back and fellow first-round pick Travis Etienne will miss the entire 2021 season after suffering a Lisfranc injury.
What number will Trevor Lawrence wear in Jacksonville
Lawrence will wear No. 16 with the Jags. If you're a Jaguars fan, you need a Trevor Lawrence jersey before the new era starts! Shop the latest Trevor Lawrence game jerseys featuring No. 16. Click here to shop.
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