As Trevor Lawrence approaches his fourth year in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars star quarterback said he has had preliminary conversations with the organization about a possible extension.
However, Lawrence is not losing sleep.
“There's definitely been some conversations,” he said Tuesday via ESPN. “As far as where that is now, that's not really my focus. Obviously I would love to be a Jaguar for as long as possible. We love it here and I love where we're headed as an organization.
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Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars stands on the sidelines during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)
“My best ball is definitely ahead of me.”
There is technically no rush for the Jaguars, as Lawrence can be under contract this season and in 2025, where they have a fifth-year exercise option. They have until May 2 to exercise that option, which would pay them $25.664 million fully guaranteed for the 2025 campaign.
But Lawrence is allowed to sign an extension if he and the Jags find common ground. And given the recent state of quarterback contracts, Lawrence would obviously love to cash in.
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After the Cincinnati Bengals dealt a massive deal for Joe Burrow worth a league-high $55 million a year, four quarterbacks now earn more than $50 million. The Los Angeles Chargers' Justin Herbert is making $52.5 million, the Baltimore Ravens paid Lamar Jackson an average annual value of $52 million and the Philadelphia Eagles were quick to give Jalen Hurts his extension worth $51 million per season.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes signed an unprecedented 10-year, $450 million contract during the 2020 offseason, but that was restructured to pay him $208.1 million between 2023 and 2026, putting it in the range of over $50 million during that span.
Lawrence, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, has thrown for more than 4,000 yards with 46 total touchdowns and 22 interceptions over the past two seasons. And after going a terrible 3-14 in his rookie year, the Jaguars have also gone 9-8 and 8-8 the past two seasons, including a playoff win over the Chargers in 2022.
So Lawrence's price will surely be something to keep in mind, but it won't define the competitor and player he is on the field.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs with the ball during the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Baltimore Ravens on December 17, 2023 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by (David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
“My job is not going to change whether or not I get extended before this season,” Lawrence explained. “My job is to win games and be the best I can for this team so we can have a chance to win a Super Bowl. Even if I get the contract extension, that's still my job even more. So for me, I have the same approach and same mentality.
That said, Lawrence admitted it would be nice to do it and feel good about it.”
“But no, it's not really the focus right now,” he continued. “I know where we are, I know where we're going and I know what I have to do and there are some improvements I have to make in the future.”
Of course, Lawrence would love to cash in on his big payday sooner than expected. And for the Jaguars, that would mean they've seen what they intended when they picked him first overall three seasons ago.
Despite missing the playoffs last season, Lawrence led the team to an 8-3 start before suffering multiple injuries, including a concussion, as well as ankle and shoulder ailments he played through. However, the Jags went 1-5 in the second half and missed the playoffs.
Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs the ball during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 24, 2023 in Tampa, Florida. (Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
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By returning healthy this season, Lawrence hopes to lead his team to another playoff berth. Whether that happens with a new contract or not, he doesn't seem to care.
But the talks are ongoing and, as you mentioned, it would be good to finish them as soon as possible.
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