Trevor Lawrence is working on his leadership with the Jaguars. And he’s now so familiar with the offense he gives coach Doug Pederson great suggestions. And while he’s doing this, a new contract should be getting done.
Lawrence, the former Clemson star who was the top pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, is out at OTAs with the rest of his Jaguars teammates. But he’s one of the quarterbacks around the NFL who is due for a significant raise.
“Obviously, I’m aware of what’s going on,” Lawrence told reporters after Monday’s practice. “But I try to keep my focus on doing my job out here. I have full belief that that’ll take care of itself and that’s not something I need to worry about.”
“That’s why I pay people and hire people to do that for me. That’s not my job,” he said. “But obviously, I know what’s going on. I’m aware of the situation — I think that’s important, too — but I try to keep all my focus and energy on being the best player I can be to help us win.”
The Jaguars picked up his fifth year option earlier this year. Teams had until May 2 to decide on whether to pick up the extra year for the contracts of all the first rounders from 2021. Lawrence was one of five quarterbacks selected in the first round of 2021. He was the only one who got the $25.664 million, fully guaranteed, for 2024. The other four quarterbacks aren’t even on the same team that drafted them. In fact, Mac Jones, who then was picked by the Patriots, was traded to the Jaguars. He’s now Lawrence’s backup.
Watch for these quarterbacks to sign big new deals
The main quarterback contracts to watch between now and the start of the season include Lawrence, Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love. It’s similar to what unfolded last year when each quarterback contract seemingly reset the market as the likes of Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow, Justin Herbert and Jalen Hurts agreed to new contracts worth $50 million-plus a year.
So far, Jared Goff is the only quarterback to sign a gaudy new deal this off season. Baker Mayfield did sign an extension, but he’s not in the $50 million QB club.
Lawrence missed his first-ever Jaguars game because of injury
Lawrence isn’t coming off the best of seasons. After enjoying a breakout 2022, he took a slight step backwards. He also missed his first NFL start, snapping his streak at 49 straight games.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars started hot and finished ice cold. They were 8-3 after beating the Texans Thanksgiving weekend. But then Lawrence suffered a concussion, ankle and shoulder injuries over the final six games. The Jaguars limped to a 1-5 finish. They’re 9-8 record wasn’t good enough for the playoffs.
“Yeah, I think that would be ideal, just to put it behind us and keep moving and feel good about that going into training camp,” he said. “But either way, like I’ve said before, I have the same job. So I can’t always control all those factors, but I have the same job to do either way. But yeah, of course, that’d be ideal to get it done as soon as you can and kinda move forward.”
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