JACKSONVILLE – Let's get to it …
JT from Palm Coast, FL
I'm happy to see the Jags get the deal done. Security isn't something that we have been used to. I know some will not like the deal, but last season needs to be taken in context. Trevor definitely needs to cut down on the dumb fumbles, but he was dealing with multiple injuries to himself and his teammates. If you are a longtime Jaguars fan, you know what bad quarterback play looks like. We have a franchise quarterback, finally. Health withstanding, this is a playoff team. Congrats to Trevor and his family. Go Jags!
You're referencing the contract extension for Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence, a five-year extension on which the sides have agreed but that he has not yet signed. You're correct that some observers/fans don't like the deal. That's understandable and OK. Not everyone has to like everything. Some people don't like me, and that's darned near unthinkable. Another way to look at the Lawrence contract: Say the Jaguars didn't extend him and the relationship between quarterback and franchise – a relationship that has been terrific for three years – suddenly went sideways. Say that "sideways" relationship eventually led to Lawrence being traded. That potentially would leave the Jaguars without a franchise quarterback – therefore rebooting the process of finding a franchise quarterback. That was the state of the franchise for a looooooong time – and when I say loooong time, I mean a loooong time. Did we really want to return to that state?
Marc from Oceanway
John, These contract extensions confuse me. Does Trevor Lawrence's new contract tack five additional years onto the four years he signed for as a rookie, or is that contract replaced by this one and we have him for five years starting now?
Lawrence's contract reportedly extends his contract five years beyond his current contract. His current contract was four years with a fifth-year option for 2025, with his current five-year extension meaning his contract now runs through 2030 – his 10th NFL season.
Tony from Suwanee, GA
No one really knows how Trevor will play over the next seven years, but we all know what kind of person he is. I say that because he seems like the kind of person who will honor his contract and not demand to renegotiate if he becomes one of the top quarterbacks in the league. We all know how the NFL works, by 2026 quarterbacks will be getting close to $70 million per year on new contracts and I think closer to $90-$100 million by 2030. Revenue and TV money keep growing and so does the salary cap. Quarterbacks will continue to get more money. If Trevor becomes a Top 5 quarterback this contract will seem like a bargain! Do you agree?
Yes.
Jason from Jacksonville
John, We knew this day was coming and that the price would be higher than some of us believe it should be, but it's done. It's the biggest and most important decision the team has ever made and will make or break the franchise for the next 10 years. In Trevor Jags trust.
Trust is the operative word here. The Jaguars in extending Lawrence trust that Lawrence will continue to develop into a franchise quarterback. He has shown flashes of that at times. He has shown long stretches of that at other times. He has made too many mistakes at times. He overall has shown enough that the chances are very good he eventually will be a franchise quarterback. The Jaguars are now trusting that he will show the constant commitment needed to reach that level. Considering the player and person, it's a good bet.
David from Maplewood, NJ
Zone, Anything special going on? Just curious, dead zone and all. Slow day in the in-box, I imagine.
I am the king of all funk.
Brendan from Yulee, FL
I guess the fumbling problem didn't matter much. Maybe Trevor can pay someone to teach him how to not fumble the ball like a bot in situations where the play breaks down. SMH!
The fumbling matters. It matters to the Jaguars and it matters to Lawrence. He has been turnover-prone and he must be less turnover-prone. That will be a major focus moving forward and it will be a major problem if he doesn't improve. But while it's a major issue, it's not so major enough of an issue to move on from Lawrence or to prevent an extension. Nor should it have been.
Don from Marshall, NC
Congratulations Trevor Lawrence! Congratulations to Trent Baalke for getting everything done and ready for the season. Go Jaguars!
When it comes to Lawrence and Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke getting this deal done before 2024 Training Camp, Don very correctly remains "all in."
Cristiano from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ok, Trevor's extension is on the books. Now, how about the senior writer's?
What's an "extension?"
Mike from Cartersville (AKA Trevortown), GA
The people surprised about Trevor's contract must not pay attention to the NFL. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson just signed a contract for four years for $140 million with $110 million guaranteed. What did they think they were going to sign Trevor for next offseason? If you think this amount was surprising, wait until you see literally every single quarterback contract from here forward. Also, what does one do with a check for $138 million? Take it to the check cashing place down the street, the nearest Bank of America branch, create an account with the federal reserve?
Inflation is real everywhere. It's perhaps particularly real when it comes to NFL megacontracts. What's mindboggling one offseason might seem very, very reasonable the next – and there's little reason to think that won't be the case with Lawrence's contract moving forward. As for what to do with the check for $138 million, the first thing you do is make sure you have a good financial advisor and accountant, because you're not seeing anywhere close to that. I suppose the second thing indeed is to go through the BofA drive-thru. Do they still have those tube thingees?
Brian from Round Rock, TX
Is Trent the best general manager in Jaguars history? So far, I think so. Tom Coughlin was good, but he wrecked the cap – and that's a major negative.
Is Baalke the best general manager in franchise history? A strong argument can be made.
Sam from Orlando, FL
I know we are supposed to be nice. But do people really think watching ESPN and YouTube highlights is "watching film."
Yes.
Bradley from Sparks, NV
The most interesting thing about the Lawrence contract is getting $180 million up front. Is that precedent or SOP in these type of deals?
I don't know that there is a Standing Operating Procedure in these deals. That's because teams and players negotiate such details as a way of making the deal work for the team and player. Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow received $146.5 million guaranteed at signing with a $40 million bonus. Lawrence reportedly received $142 million guaranteed at signing with a $37.5 million bonus. What is SOP? I don't know, but these guys are getting a boatload of money very quickly. One fer 'em.
Andrew from Halifax
I don't know what could possibly be the problem with T-Law's signing. We signed a guy who wants to be here, is a bona-fide leader, doesn't complain, works hard, plays through injuries, makes those around him better, and has WON a playoff game.... WHAT IS WRONG WITH THAT?
Googling this.
Deane from Daytona Beach, FL
Yo, O-Zone!!! My two cents on Trevor's contract, not that it means anything, is this: If you put the onus on Trevor to prove his worth before offering the contract he could try to press too much and end up costing the Jags wins because he felt he had to make a play. Or he could light it up and take us to the Super Bowl only to fall flat. I like the fact that they went ahead and said he was the QB1 for the near future. I think it allows him to play loose and confident. Like you have stated O-Zone and I might be paraphrasing, "the NFL is a year to year and game to game league." What says you O-Zone???
While there's some merit here, I don't know that I agree with the entire premise. I don't know that Lawrence would have consciously "tried too hard" or "pressed too much" on a specific play just to prove he deserved a contract. Remember: Lawrence's rookie contract and endorsem*nt has him more-than comfortable financially. There seems little reason he would be constantly thinking of his second contract. At the same time, does extending his contact send a clear message of confidence and provide some added assurance that's he's indeed The Guy? Sure, this contract provides an element of that.
Who cares from Round the way
You don't have to publish this one. I don't care. One fer our franchise quarterback. I'm all in.
One fer not caring and one for Lawrence …
