Trevor Lawrence did the Jacksonville Jaguars a favor with his new five-year contract extension
After months of speculation on when and if the Jacksonville Jaguars would extend QB Trevor Lawrence, the two have come to terms on a massive contract extension. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, The Jags and Lawrence have agreed to a five-year, $275m contract extension, with $200m fully guaranteed and $142m due at signing. Lawrence […]
After months of speculation on when and if the Jacksonville Jaguars would extend QB Trevor Lawrence, the two have come to terms on a massive contract extension.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, The Jags and Lawrence have agreed to a five-year, $275m contract extension, with $200m fully guaranteed and $142m due at signing.
Lawrence Saves The Jags Some Coin
Despite tying Joe Burrow atop the league in average money per year at $55m, his total guarantees are less than Burrow's by $12m and his guaranteed money due at signing is less by $4m.
Now some may say that Lawrence isn't in the same tier as Burrow, so the Jaguars getting him money that's comparable is rich. But the market determines value, and when a new QB is up for a deal, it's an agent's job to surpass the deal that was last signed.
Lawrence, who is only 24 years old and was the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is the only first-round QB in his class to receive an extension and is the first-round QB still with the team that drafted him.
A Pro Bowler in 2022, Lawrence struggled during his rookie campaign as the signal caller of the one-year experiment that was the Urban Meyer era in Jacksonville. But he showed why he was labeled as generational during his second year in the league, which was capped by a miraculous 28-point comeback in his playoff debut.
Last year things weren't as clean however, with Lawrence struggling with injury, a porous offensive line, and a skill group that just didn't live up to expectations, particularly when looking at WR Calvin Ridley.
Even still, Lawrence regressed some from his 2022 form, particularly in his decision-making, where he struggled with turnovers, recording 26 total giveaways via 14 interceptions and 12 fumbles compared to 25 total touchdowns (21 passing, 4 rushing).
But having yet to turn 25, heading into only his fourth year of his career, and with what should be better organization along the coaching staff this year, there is reason to believe Lawrence will only ascend and can be mentioned among the elite at the position.
Rookie WR Brian Thomas Jr. is expected to be Lawrence's go-to target in 2024, and between the big extension, continuity within the scheme, and now becoming a veteran, the pressure is on Lawrence and the Jaguars to compete for an AFC South divisional title in 2024.
