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'The lightbulb is on’: Christian Kirk says Trevor Lawrence, Jags offense can achieve more

The Jacksonville Jaguars have set their sights on more.

A season after reaching the AFC Divisional Round of the playoffs and setting career highs in statistical categories for multiple players, the team is preparing to achieve even more this year.

“We step on this field to be the best offense in the league and that's our mindset,” second-year Jaguars receiver Christian Kirk said Monday at the conclusion of Day 5 of training camp in Jacksonville.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13)is tapped on the helmet during an organized team activity Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13)is tapped on the helmet during an organized team activity Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla.

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Krik is coming off career-bests in almost every category for a pass catcher. He topped his career numbers in receptions (84), targets (133), yards (1,108), and touchdowns (8) in 2022.

It was a season that saw Kirk fully earn the free agent contract he signed during the 2022 offseason. Now, he’s hoping the team can start the season the way they finished last year’s run.

“We can't come out slow again,” he said. “It's fun having some comebacks, but it gets exhausting after a while. We want to make sure that we come out, start fast [and] when we get up, keep our foot on the pedal.

Change in Trevor: Lawrence has the lightbulb on

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates with teammate wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) after his touchdown catch during second quarter action. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans to decide the AFC South championship at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL, Saturday, January 7, 2023. The Jaguars went into the half trailing 7 to 13. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

When Kirk was asked what the major change in Trevor Lawrence was from last year to this year, he echoed what coaches and players around the team have been saying: He’s a master of the offense.

“The light switch is on,” Kirk said. “Everything is just so quick, the way he's able to go through his reads. Maybe last year [him] not being able to get to his third progression. Now he's able to get to that.”

Lawrence has gotten rave reviews from head coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor in the early days of camp for his maturation in Pederson’s system. Meanwhile, Lawrence offered a big compliment to his skill players' last week.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) does ladder drills Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Today marked the first day of training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk (13) does ladder drills Wednesday, July 26, 2023 at Miller Electric Center at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. Today marked the first day of training camp for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kirk hosted those skill players for a week in his home state of Arizona for some offseason bonding and training before camp started. It was a good time, in some serious heat.

“It was over 111 degrees for 20 days straight,” Kirk said as he flashed a smile. “I brought Calvin [Ridley] out with me, Seth Williams came out and we were able to train together, and it was a lot of fun.”

Juston Lewis is a sports reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @JustonLewis_.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars' Christian Kirk says Trevor Lawrence has improved in offseason