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Trevor Lawrence Replacing Patrick Mahomes in 2023 Pro Bowl After Chiefs' SB Run

Joseph Zucker@@JosephZuckerFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 31, 2023

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - JANUARY 07: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars drops back to pass during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field on January 07, 2023 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images)
Courtney Culbreath/Getty Images

Jacksonville Jaguars star Trevor Lawrence is a Pro Bowler for the first time.

Jacksonville Jaguars @Jaguars

Well deserved.<a href="https://twitter.com/Trevorlawrencee?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Trevorlawrencee</a> is headed to the 2023 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProBowlGames?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProBowlGames</a>!

The second-year quarterback is replacing the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes, who won't be available because the Chiefs reached the Super Bowl.

Earning a trip to the Pro Bowl Games reflects the progress Lawrence made in 2022. He threw for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions as Jacksonville reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017.

After going 3-14 during Lawrence's rookie season, the Jaguars looked like a totally different team in 2022 under first-year head coach Doug Pederson, and Pederson's arrival seemed to have a big effect on their franchise quarterback.

Lawrence climbed from 32nd in DYAR among QBs in 2021 to seventh in 2022, per Football Outsiders. He also doubled his number of 300-yard passing games from two to four and got stronger as the season unfolded.

From November on, the 23-year-old had 15 touchdown passes to two interceptions and posted a 104.6 passer rating. Jacksonville went 7-2 during that stretch.

While most fans likely kept the faith in Lawrence given the disastrous tenure of former head coach Urban Meyer, seeing the 2021 No. 1 overall pick truly thrive for the first time reminded everyone why he was so highly thought of before turning pro.