Trevor Lawrence on Jaguars fans wearing clown costumes to game: 'I wouldn't do that,' but 'I get the frustration'
Jacksonville Jaguars fans are not just frustrated from watching a franchise that has lost 29 of 32 games since 2020.
With the possibility that owner Shad Khan plans to retain general manager Trent Baalke, the Jaguars fan base has taken their unhappiness to Twitter by changing their profile pictures to a clown emoji with Khan's trademark handlebar mustache.
And now this week, a movement is growing among fans to show up for Sunday's season finale against the Indianapolis Colts dressed in clown costumes at TIAA Bank Field.
That's the state of the Jaguars franchise at this point. Fans are unhappy. Players are frustrated. And the coaching staff can't seem to figure out how to establish a successful game plan to get enough points on the scoreboard or stop the opposing team from dominating.
The Jaguars are coming off a 50-10 loss to the New England Patriots. In Week 16, they lost to the lowly New York Jets 26-21 and were previously routed 30-16 by the Houston Texans.
Trevor Lawrence and Darrell Bevell respond to Jaguars fans
During his news conference Wednesday, Jaguars interim head coach Darrell Bevell was asked about the possibility of fans showing up in clown outfits for Sunday's game.
''I mean I don't know what they're talking about very much, but I do understand the frustration they have,'' Bevell said. ''You know, I mean, there's a level of frustration here within the building. The players are frustrated, (coaches are) frustrated with what's going on. We want it to be better as well.''
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence says he understands the fans' frustration, but said he personally would never dress in a clown outfit to attend a game.
''I wouldn't do that, but you know, fans feel how they feel. We wanted to win a lot more games, so I get the frustration. Obviously we haven't had much success this season,'' Lawrence said. ''So that's frustrating for us as well. But it's the Jags and they've been a fan since the Jags started, so you see that passion and we want to do everything we can to go win for the city and for these fans.''
Baalke, 57, was hired by the Jaguars in February 2020 to serve as director of player personnel to replace Chris Polian, who was fired after seven seasons with the Jaguars.
When Dave Caldwell was fired in November 2020, Baalke filled the role as interim general manager, and he was promoted to the job full-time last January after former head coach Urban Meyer was hired.
Once Meyer was fired, it appeared Khan would clean house to turn the page for a new start after 10 losing seasons in 11 years with both a new general manager and head coach.
In October, Baalke apparently did not have a problem with Meyer not returning with the team to Jacksonville after a 24-21 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals during Week 4. Meyer said he discussed his decision to not return with the team with Baalke, who signed off on it in advance.
Baalke also oversaw the team's 2021 free agency and draft picks. Despite having $73.8 million in available cap space, the Jaguars failed to make a big splash in free agency.
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Going into Sunday's finale, the Jaguars (2-14) can lock up the No. 1 overall pick for the second consecutive year with a loss. The Colts, who are a 15.5-point favorite against the Jaguars according to Tipico Sportsbook, need a victory Sunday to clinch a playoff berth.
The Jaguars have lost eight consecutive games and closed out last week with their 17th consecutive road defeat, a losing streak that dates back to the 2019 season.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Trevor Lawrence: I get why Jacksonville Jaguars fans are frustrated