Trevor Lawrence responds to ‘first read’ criticism: ‘Arden said that?’

There was a growing narrative surrounding Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in recent weeks.

First, San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said his team planned to “try to force [Lawrence] to play quarterback, play the position, go through reads.” Then Tennessee Titans pass rusher Arden Key, who spent the 2022 season with the Jaguars, essentially said the same thing earlier this week.

“If the first read is there, he’s throwing it right there, right now,” Key said, via 104.5 The Zone. “If it’s not, you can kind of see the hesitation, things of that sort.”

But unlike Bosa and the 49ers, Key and the Titans weren’t successful slowing Lawrence. After a blowout, 34-14 win Sunday, Lawrence was asked about the mounting criticism, of which he was evidently unaware.

“I could care less what those guys say, to be honest,” Lawrence said. “That’s really my only response to that. It doesn’t matter. If those guys think I’m the best thing in the world, it doesn’t matter either. So, doesn’t really matter.

“I love Arden, former teammate. It hurts that he said that, but no, I don’t care. It’s about how you perform on Sunday. It’s not about what other people say, but if you want to change the narrative, then change the narrative and play better.”

When the Jaguars posted the clip on social media, Key himself responded with a “I love you TLaw” comment on Instagram.

Lawrence finished the win Sunday with 262 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns.

Story originally appeared on Jaguars Wire