JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence mentioned he would like to have a contract extension in place earlier than coaching camp begins in late July, nevertheless it’s not going to be a problem for him if he would not.
And it will not have any impression any on his preparations for his fourth NFL season.
“I believe that will be splendid simply to place it behind us and hold transferring and be ok with that going into coaching camp,” Lawrence mentioned Monday after the Jaguars’ seventh OTA. “I am unable to all the time management all these components, however I’ve the identical job to do both manner, however yeah, I imply in fact that’d be splendid to get it performed as quickly as you’ll be able to and sort of transfer ahead.”
Lawrence’s representatives and the Jaguars have been engaged on an extension for months, and the deal is predicted to make him one of many NFL’s highest-paid quarterbacks when it comes to common annual wage. 5 quarterbacks at present make greater than $50 million yearly: Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow ($55 million), Detroit’s Jared Goff ($53 million), the Los Angeles Chargers’ Justin Herbert ($52.5 million), Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson ($52 million) and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts ($51 million).
Lawrence is coming into the ultimate season of the absolutely assured four-year contract price $36,793,592 he signed after the Jaguars chosen him first total in 2021. They picked up the fifth-year choice, which absolutely ensures Lawrence $25.664 million in 2025, so the Jaguars have him locked in for 2 extra seasons.
Lawrence mentioned Monday that he is extra involved with persevering with to develop in his third season in coach Doug Pederson’s offense than being concerned within the negotiations with Jaguars basic supervisor Trent Baalke.
“Clearly I am conscious of what is going on on, however I attempt to hold my give attention to doing my job out right here,” Lawrence mentioned. “I’ve full perception that it will maintain itself and that is not one thing that I would like to fret about. That is why I pay individuals and rent individuals to do this for me. In order that’s not my job, however clearly I do know what is going on on. I am conscious of the scenario. I believe that is necessary, too.
“However yeah, I attempt to hold all my focus and power on being the very best participant I may be to assist us win.”
Lawrence is already fourth in Jaguars historical past in passing yards (11,770) and passing touchdowns (58). He led the Jaguars to the AFC South title in 2022 and rallied the group from a 27-0 deficit to a 31-30 victory over the Chargers in a wild-card playoff recreation earlier than dropping to the Chiefs in a divisional playoff.
Lawrence led the Jaguars to an 8-3 begin in 2023, however he battled a concussion and ankle and shoulder accidents within the second half of the season, and the group went 1-5 down the stretch and missed the playoffs. Lawrence didn’t play in the one recreation the Jaguars received — in opposition to Carolina — due to the shoulder harm he suffered the week earlier than in opposition to Tampa Bay.
The Jaguars are 20-30 in Lawrence’s 50 regular-season begins however have posted back-to-back 9-8 seasons, which marked the primary time the franchise has had consecutive successful seasons since 2004-05.
“I believe it does add a chip in your shoulder if you end the season the best way we did,” Lawrence mentioned. “There’s just one group completely satisfied on the finish of the 12 months. That is who wins Tremendous Bowl. So it doesn’t matter what, you all the time acquired one thing that you simply’re attempting to achieve and obtain and that is the objective. However particularly the best way our season ended, it provides a bit little bit of a chip to your shoulder.
“For us although, it must be the identical objective although each week is simply to get that significantly better and to place ourselves able to be enjoying significant video games in December, January and make a push on the finish of the 12 months and simply get higher each week. Final 12 months is nearly, we peaked a bit too quickly and we did not end the season the best way we wished to. It is necessary to be enjoying your greatest on the finish of the 12 months.”
