With training camp on the horizon around the NFL, all eyes remain on the quarterbacks awaiting extensions. That storyline became even more prominent earlier this month when Trevor Lawrence agreed to a five-year, $275 million extension to join Joe Burrow as the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks.
But for other extension-eligible quarterbacks – from Jordan Love to Tua Tagovailoa to Dak Prescott – Lawrence’s deal could mark another step in their negotiations. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, that contract could make a league-wide impact.
Schefter specifically pointed to Tagovailoa’s situation with the Miami Dolphins and Love’s spot with the Green Bay Packers as some to watch after Lawrence’s deal came together. While Prescott’s future with the Dallas Cowboys is also generating buzz after the Jaguars’ decision, he might be in a category of his own because of his pending free agency. That’s why the direct impact could be in Green Bay and Miami.
“Listen, I think every one of these quarterbacks that’s awaiting a new deal has taken a look at this contract, and Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars have given them ammunition in their contract talks with teams – whether it’s Dak Prescott in Dallas, who’s on a different level, or Jordan Love or Tua Tagovailoa,” Schefter said on “NFL Live” Thursday. “But if you’re Jordan Love or you’re Tua Tagovailoa, I think those teams were probably saying to those players, ‘Well, we can’t pay you as much as Joe Burrow,’ who is making $55 million a year.
“But now, Trevor Lawrence’s average is $55 million a year, and Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa can come back to those teams and say, ‘Well, we’ve accomplished as much as Trevor Lawrence. And therefore, we believe we should be paid like Trevor Lawrence,’ which is at $55 million. So Trevor Lawrence’s deal boosted the argument for Jordan Love and for Tua Tagovailoa.”
How Dak Prescott’s contract situation is different
Tagovailoa is playing on a fifth-year option this year and is coming off the best season of his career. He threw for 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns to make his first career Pro Bowl, adding to his case for an extension. But as the offseason program rolled along, the former Alabama star found himself without an new deal.
Meanwhile, in Green Bay, Love showed strong signs in his first season as a starter. He threw for 4,159 yards, 32 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with the Packers after signing a one-year, $13.5 million contract instead of a fifth-year option a year ago.
Then, there’s Prescott, who’s entering the final year of his four-year, $160 million extension. It comes after he set a new career-high for completions last season as he threw for 4,516 yards – his most since 2019 – and an NFL-leading 36 touchdowns in 2023. However, the Cowboys can neither use the franchise tag or trade him.
That’s why Prescott is in a league of his own when it comes to extensions. However, for Love and Tagovailoa, they could stand strong in their desire for a payday.
“Again, Dak Prescott, in a different category because he can’t be traded, he can’t be tagged, he can become a free agent after this year. There’s no player in all of football with more leverage and power right now than Dak Prescott,” Schefter said.
“But Jordan Love and Tua, who have been in talks with their new teams, now have a new deal to present and say, ‘We’re not gonna take less than Trevor Lawrence.'”
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