Doug Pederson Tells Donovan McNabb He's Excited About Progression Of Trevor Lawrence

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The Jacksonville Jaguars are sitting pretty atop the AFC South. At 5-2, they're off to their best start since 2007. And quarterback Trevor Lawrence is doing everything he can to prove the doubters wrong.

Jaguars coach Doug Pederson joined Tuesday's episode of OutKick podcast The Five Spot to discuss the next steps in Lawrence's progression.

"I think we just got to keep continuing what we're doing, you know?" Pederson told OutKick's Donovan McNabb and Armando Salguero. "He definitely can get better with some situational things. We still have the costly red zone turnovers that we've got to eliminate."

The Jags struggled early on in the red zone — a big reason the team started the season 1-2. In their Week 2 Loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, they failed to score a touchdown in all three trips to the red zone.

Also during that game, Lawrence went 0-for-7 passing in the red zone, the most red-zone attempts without a completion since Brett Favre also went 0-for-7 in 2006.

But things are looking up for Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars.

Lawrence led the Jaguars to a close victory over New Orleans in Week 7, throwing for 204 yards on 20 of 29 passing. Overall, Lawrence averages for 234.7 yards per game this season with eight touchdown passes and three interceptions. 

"Trevor does a great job of of managing the offense," Pederson said. "Now, he's got to take it and just run with it and let it be his."

Jacksonville will have a chance to extend its winning streak to five games Sunday against the Steelers in Pittsburgh. They're currently 1.5 games ahead of the Indianapolis Colts. And with the Tennessee Titans crumbling before our very eyes, the AFC South is Jacksonville's for the taking.

If, that is, Lawrence stays healthy and steps up to be the leader Pederson knows he can be.

"As you know, Donovan, you're not going to be perfect. But at the same time, you can still demand an excellence from everybody that brings their level of play up, and and that's where Trevor is headed," Pederson said.

"That's where he's going, and that's what we're excited here in Jacksonville. We've got that quarterback, not only currently but also for the future."

Follow Amber on X at @TheAmberHarding or email her at Amber.Harding@OutKick.com.