Trevor Lawrence has been eligible to sign a contract extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars since the end of the 2023 NFL season. Today, when speaking to reporters, Lawrence provided an update on ongoing contract talks and the urgency between both sides in getting a deal done.
Trevor Lawrence Would Like To Sign Extension Before Training Camp
Being drafted in 2021, Lawrence officially became eligible for a new extension as soon as the 2023 season concluded. While he still has two years left on his deal after the Jaguars exercised his fifth-year option, it would benefit the team and Lawrence both to get an extension done now.
According to general manager Trent Baalke, the two sides began conversations about a new deal back in January and have been in negotiations ever since. Today, Lawrence himself spoke about the situation himself.
#Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence says it would be “ideal” to get his contract done before camp, but he’s not concerned about it. pic.twitter.com/ZhfAYEJBVv
— Demetrius Harvey (@Demetrius82) June 3, 2024
“Obviously, I’m aware of what’s going on, but I try to keep my focus on what’s doing my job out here,” said Lawrence to the media following the team’s seventh practice of organized team activities (OTAs). “I have full belief that will take care of itself. It’s not something that I need to worry about.”
“I think that would be ideal,” said Lawrence when asked if he’d like a deal to get done before training camp in late July. “To put it behind us and keep moving. Either way, like I’ve said before, I have the same job, and you know I can’t always control those factors … But yeah, of course, that’d be ideal to get it done as soon as you can and move forward.”
Projecting Lawrence’s Contract Extension
The NFL’s quarterback market continues to grow every offseason. Last year, Justin Herbert, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Joe Burrow, who became the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback, each signed very lucrative contract extensions.
Meanwhile, Jared Goff’s extension with Detroit this offseason made him the NFL’s second-highest-paid player, with an average annual salary of $53 million.
According to Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson, Lawrence should expect a contract that at least exceeds Goff’s new deal.
“While the Jaguars haven’t experienced much team success with Trevor Lawrence under center, former No. 1 overall picks with his promise typically reset their positional markets,” said Robinson.
“Lawrence should surpass Jared Goff, who just signed an extension with the Detroit Lions for $53 million per year, and could have a shot at overtaking Joe Burrow ($55 million) as the NFL’s highest-paid quarterback,” Robinson continued. “If Lawrence holds off on a new deal and then thrives in 2024, he could become the league’s first $60 million QB.”
While it may be challenging for Lawrence to surpass Burrow’s contract, he has a fair argument to command a greater salary than Goff.
Although Goff had a more successful 2023 season, at 24 years old, Lawrence is five years younger than him and contains a plethora of physical traits that the Lions’ signal-caller doesn’t, giving him significantly more upside.
Additionally, it’s just how the market works. The league may view Lawrence and Goff as relatively similar players, but the Jacksonville QB would naturally surpass him in contract value as a result of signing after him. Plus, you pay for future value in the NFL, and Lawrence’s prime years haven’t even started yet.
Lawrence’s Career Stats With Jaguars
Taken No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence has had major hype following him his entire career, with some even labeling him a “generational” prospect. Yet, things have been up and down, with plenty of both good and bad.
In his first year, under Urban Meyer, Lawrence struggled, throwing for career lows in yards, completion percentage, and touchdowns in addition to a career high in interceptions. It was the first time Lawrence had lost multiple games in a single season his entire life.
Following Meyer’s departure, Lawrence had a much improved 2022 campaign that saw a surge in production late in the season, finishing with 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions — all career bests.
Jacksonville also made the playoffs and won a game, coming back from down 27-0 against the Los Angeles Chargers. As a result, many expected an MVP-caliber type jump heading into 2023. But that didn’t exactly happen.
Last season, Lawrence threw for 4,016 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. While that was in part due to himself, it was also impacted by multiple late-season injuries for him and disappointing performances from his teammates, including several drops and non-catches that dipped Lawrence’s production and the team’s success.
Trevor Lawrence near miss touchdowns pic.twitter.com/3tl8vK3VT5
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) January 9, 2024
In total, Lawrence has thrown for 11,770 yards, 58 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions. His record as a starting quarterback is 20-30, including a 3-14 season in 2021 and a stretch of 13-3 from the back half of 2022 and first half of 2023.
With the 2024 season coming up, Lawrence is looking to finally take a leap in production that’s been long anticipated.
