The Jacksonville Jaguars can’t yet contact suspended wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who they acquired in a midseason trade with the Atlanta Falcons. And the Jaguars aren’t allowed to tell quarterback Trevor Lawrence to work out with Ridley during his own time in the offseason.
Instead, the team is just heavily implying that it’d be a good idea.
On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe said that he had a conversation with Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, who believed his 23-year-old quarterback would link up with Ridley some point soon.
“He anticipates Trevor Lawrence — whenever Calvin is ready to go — saying, ‘Hey, let’s get together. Let’s catch a few passes,'” Wolfe said.
Later Tuesday, Pederson had a conversation with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and Chris Simms. When asked about Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the Jaguars head coach emphasized the two-time MVP’s work in the offseason.
“He’s your leader,” Pederson said of Mahomes. “He knows how to rally. He knows how to get guys together in the offseason and take control of the team. He’s matured in his five or six years in this league and I hope our guy sees it, does it, and we’re in this situation in a couple of years.”
It sounded a lot like the challenge that Pederson issued Lawrence during a press conference at the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine.
“He can be better… I know that’ll be the challenge that he puts on himself.”
Coach Pederson on @Trevorlawrencee. pic.twitter.com/KswQ2Okagg
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) March 1, 2023
“I think the next step for Trevor is just another step in the leadership role,” Pederson said.
Fortunately for the Jaguars, Lawrence probably isn’t a player who will need his arm twisted to put in work in the offseason. Last summer, several of Jacksonville’s offensive players — including Lawrence, Christian Kirk, and Evan Engram, among others — met up in the Bahamas for some vacationing and work outs.
Looks like some of the Jaguars skill players are with QBs Trevor Lawrence and CJ Beathard in the Bahamas. 🍃
Camp report date is 9 days out. Almost that time, y'all. pic.twitter.com/Ud7BfBJDQr
— John Shipley (@_John_Shipley) July 15, 2022
It didn’t take long for free agent additions Kirk, Engram, and Zay Jones to quickly develop a rapport with Lawrence. It’s Jacksonville’s hope that Ridley will get on the same page with his new quarterback just as fast.
