Trevor Lawrence, quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars, is now one of the highest-paid athletes in NFL history. On Thursday, he reportedly extended his deal by 5 years and $275 million, with $200 million guaranteed, according to the report. This agreement brings Joe Burrow’s yearly compensation up to par with the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history.
The previous record holder was outside linebacker Josh Allen’s 5-year, $141.25 million deal (with $88 million guaranteed) inked in April. This new agreement is the largest in team history.
The quarterback selected first overall in 2021 is the third Jaguars draftee to get a contract extension, the others being Blake Bortles (2018) and David Garrard (2007), who both received 7 years and $69.4 million. One first-round selection was Lawrence, and the other was Blake Bortles (ranked third in 2014).
Does Lawrence deserve this contract?
With a 20-30 record as a starter (plus 1-1 in the playoffs), a 63.8% completion percentage, 58 touchdown passes, and 39 interceptions, Lawrence’s career numbers may make you question why the Jaguars paid him so much to be their quarterback.
The Jaguars aren’t compensating him fully for his efforts so far, however. Paying him is a sign of faith in his ability to contribute to Coach Doug Pederson’s offense and the team’s chances of winning the Super Bowl. For the last three years, Lawrence has shown glimpses of becoming a top-tier quarterback.
Having only played under Urban Meyer’s tutelage for half of the season, his freshman year was everything but stellar. Everyone saw Lawrence’s 3-13 record as the starting quarterback that yearโwhich included an NFL-high 17 interceptionsโas a reflection of a bigger problem with the squad.
The next year, in 2022, Lawrence made a full recovery, leading the Jaguars to the AFC South championship with a passing offense that included 25 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. Postseason, he was a part of one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, leading the Jaguars to a 31-30 win against the Chargers after falling down 27-0 (in part due to his four interceptions). However, they eventually lost to Kansas City in the divisional round.
Additionally, he retreated last season. The Jaguars were 8-3 and in the hunt for the AFC’s top seed in 2023 when Lawrence suffered a series of ailments in the last six weeks of the season, including a concussion, a shoulder strain, and a right high ankle sprain. Lawrence didn’t completely participate in practice after December 15, and the Jaguars went 1-5 at that time (he missed one game). Last year, he had 21 giveaways, good for third in the NFL. Over his first three seasons, he had 60 turnovers.
However, Lawrence’s potential becomes apparent during the 2022โ2023 season, according to the Jaguars.
The 17 games spanning from 2022 Week 12 to 2023 Week 11 saw him throw for 4,161 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. Within that time frame, he was the ninth-best quarterback in terms of passing yards, completion percentage, quarterback rating, and touchdown passes. Lawrence had thirteen wins during that time, second only to quarterback Jalen Hurts with fourteen. During that time, Jared Goff and Patrick Mahomes each won 13 games.
Despite some hiccups in his first three years as Jaguars head coach, Lawrence has guided the team to 20 wins, with 17 of them coming in the last two years. Though that may not seem amazing, the Jaguars had started 6 quarterbacks in the 48 games leading up to his arrival, including Blake Bortles (3-9), Cody Kessler (2-2), Nick Foles (0-4), Gardner Minshew (7-13), Mike Glennon (0-5), and Jake Luton (0-3). In those three seasons, the team had won just 12 games.
Lawrence will be a three-year veteran of Pederson’s offense. The 24-year-old Lawrence’s development as a player and a leader bodes well for his upcoming breakthrough season.
“He’s becoming the vocal leader in the locker room, on the field, and in meetings,” said Pederson. He is captivating. His first three years with us were spent in relative peace as he adjusted to our routine and developed a feel for things. He was still learning our system. He is now talking to us and offering suggestions. At this point, he’s almost like a second coachโanother pair of eyes watching the game from the sidelines.
Lawrence is not falling behind in his growth, according to Pederson, just because he did not have a breakthrough season in 2023.
“I learned this back when I went to Green Bay as a player under Mike Holmgren: It takes three to four years,” stated Pederson. Becoming the quarterback you want to be or the quarterback your team needs takes time. Additionally, it will take time. Nothing about it is plug-and-play. Some groups and individuals will do better than others, but everyone may succeed if they put in the time and effort to master the game.
“It’s promising as an offensive staff, and I’m now in my third year with Lawrence. In the future, he may be able to have this “jump year.”
