Trevor Lawrence doesn't think much about it anymore.
Since being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence has played seven games in London. He will add two more to that resume
this season, starting Sunday for the team's Week 5 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Lawrence is 4-3 across those games and has completed 62.3% of his passes for 1,702 yards, eight touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Jacksonville's success in London has been mixed. Last season, the team fell 35-7 to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 7. Still, what happened afterward helped catapult the team to first place in the AFC South.
In many ways, the annual journey to London gives the Jaguars an artificial BYE week, a chance to reflect on the season and bond as players and coaches. For Lawrence, that's exactly what the journey entails.
Winning games is the only priority, but getting to know your teammates on a more personal level can be the difference between a run like last year and a collapse while you're focused on figuring everything out.
Trevor Lawrence is used to the 'routine' of London travel
While this will be their first opportunity to play football overseas for many players, Lawrence is well aware of the physical and mental challenges that come with the voyage.
The Jaguars will have traveled roughly 4,250 miles across the Atlantic Ocean to face off against a team from Philadelphia in Week 5 before continuing their stay to face the Houston Texans the following week.
Last year, the Jaguars spent just one week in London, but they've played back-to-back games in London twice before (2023-24 seasons). Still, once you get over the jet lag, everything is pretty straightforward, Lawrence said.
“By the time you get to the second week, you’re adjusted pretty good. It's really the first couple days where you try to as quick as you can, get in a rhythm and a routine," Lawrence said ahead of Week 5's game against the Eagles.
Lawrence will sleep on the plane Thursday night before the team heads to The Grove, the hotel and resort where they'll stay for the duration of their London stay. After landing, players know they must stay awake all day Friday before getting a good night's rest later that night.
"I think guys just trying to get as much sleep as you can Friday night, Saturday, you feel a lot better," Lawrence mentioned. "And then same thing, Sunday morning you feel better than you did Saturday. I think that's just part of it, and we're kind of used to it at this point.”
Trevor Lawrence sees London trip as a bonding opportunity, chance for a reset
While some players, including Lawrence, will bring their wives and kids for part of the London trip, the team will mostly be isolated with each other for 10 days.
That gives the team a chance to get to know each other and build strong connections.
"Just the time that you get, you're together in the hotel the whole time and stay at a great place out there. And just the time you get with your teammates, you’re all hanging out, don't really have much else to do," said Lawrence.
"Some people have families that come in, you get some time with them as well. I think it's good for the team."
This year, the Jaguars are heading to London at 3-1, hoping to keep their strong season going. As with last year, regardless of the outcome, the chance to reset could come in handy down the stretch.
"Whether things are going great here or maybe you're at a rough part of your season, you need a little pick-me-up and just to kind of get away from all the noise; I think it's good for either one of those," said Lawrence.
"So, there are good things about it, and obviously London's a cool place, a lot of history, the stadiums, like I said, Wembley and Tottenham that we play in are pretty incredible venues to play. That's a cool part of it.”
The Jaguars are rolling into their trip and have plenty of reason to be optimistic. Against an ailing Eagles team, they ought to continue their success. In Week 6, the Jaguars will have a chance to bury their division rival, the Texans.
The Texans are 0-4 and will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 5. Either way, a loss to Jacksonville the next week will likely be the nail in the coffin, giving the Jaguars a clear path to repeat as division champions.
Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X (formerly Twitter) at @Demetrius82 or on BlueskyatDemetrius.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence understands 'routine' of London travel
