JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As the 2024 offseason soon unfolds, the Jaguars have made significant strides in securing key veterans along their offensive line.
Reflecting on the past season, the Jaguars' offensive line emerged as a pressing concern at the onset of the 2023 campaign, ultimately revealing itself as one of the team's achilles' heels.
Throughout 2023, the Jaguars' offensive line grappled with a notable lack of consistency in their starting lineup, according to Anton Harrison, a vital cog in the team's offensive front.
"We really never played with the same five every game," Harrison remarked.
Injuries plagued the unit, with established starter Cam Robinson serving a four-game suspension to commence the season. Additionally, Robinson was sidelined for weeks 14-17 due to a knee injury. Ben Bartch initially filled the left guard position for the first three games, but Tyler Shatley assumed his role in week 4. Subsequently, Walker Little, after his inaugural start at left guard in week 5, succumbed to a knee injury. Shatley, Little, and Ezra Cleveland effectively rotated at left guard throughout the season.
The offensive line struggled.
Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars' quarterback, emphasized the importance of consistent improvement and maintaining health, noting, "The teams that get better every week and stay healthy are usually the teams that go pretty far in the playoffs and win the Super Bowl."
Lawrence endured 35 sacks during the season, marking a career-high in his three NFL seasons. Head coach Doug Pederson acknowledged the issues faced by the Jaguars' offensive line and expressed confidence in rectifying them.
"We've got a plan, we're going to stick to our plan, we've got to be convicted on it, we've got to present it to the players the same way and make the necessary corrections this offseason to fix those areas," Pederson stated.
With Tyler Shatley, Ezra Cleveland, and Mitch Morse solidifying their positions, maintaining player health remains a primary focus for the Jaguars.
"Being able to play with a full five almost every game, hopefully so, that's what we're trying to strive for and we know we can do it. We know when we do that, we're one of the best lines in the NFL," Harrison affirmed.
The Jaguars came back into the practice facility on April 15th.