Will Lawrence Get Payday Before Camp?

The Jacksonville Jaguars exercised the fifth-year option to keep Trevor Lawrence through 2025, but a deal could come soon for the former Tiger.

2023 wasn’t a pretty season for Lawrence or the Jaguars. He played hurt for a majority of the season and finished with 21 passing touchdowns and 14 interceptions. That coincided with a late season collapse out of the playoff race.

Still, Lawrence is a massive commodity and the franchise quarterback that Jacksonville has to keep in town. ESPN released its biggest quarterback questions for each team and the potentiality of a deal before training camp was the thought for the Jaguars.

The big question lies in where Lawrence’s leverage is. His big 2022 campaign and playoff win secured his status but questions remain.

But the Jaguars’ 2023 season fell apart, Jacksonville missed the playoffs entirely and the good vibes that were lifting the organization at this time last year seem to have faded. Lawrence has played three seasons, which means he’s extension-eligible for the first time, and history tells us he’ll likely get that extension at some point this summer. The reported size of the Goff deal indicates that this might be a good time to strike. But doesn’t part of you wonder whether Lawrence might be better off waiting, having a more 2022-like season in 2024 and trying to blow the top off the QB market next offseason? Part of me does.

Time is the biggest factor in Lawrence’s discussions. Jared Goff’s four-year, $212 million deal is just another cut into negotiations for Jacksonville’s side.

Thwre’s two sides of the coin, and whichever lands is yet to be seen. Will the Jaguars bite the bullet now and extend Lawrence with the current market or risk paying him after a dominant season with a potentially record-setting deal? Time will tell.