Trent Baalke, the general manager of the Jacksonville Jaguars, provided a status report on the quarterback’s contract.
Over the last few weeks, the administrative offices of the Jacksonville Jaguars have been bustling with activity. Even preceding the onset of free agency, the franchise had been actively managing various aspects of its operations. This included extending new contracts to players such as D’Ernest Johnson, Jeremiah Ledbetter, and Blake Hance. Additionally, cornerback Ronald Darby was brought on board with a two-year contract from the Ravens, and his signing was swiftly followed by the acquisitions of wide receivers Gabe Davis and Devin Duvernay.
Jacksonville’s recent trades
The Jaguars made a notable move by acquiring Arik Armstead in free agency. The defensive end inked a three-year contract worth $43,500,000, which included a signing bonus of $12,500,000. Furthermore, Josh Allen secured a five-year extension valued at $150 million. On Friday, the team also added veteran offensive lineman Tyler Shatley to their roster. Meanwhile, Darious Williams, Folorunso Fatukasi, and Rayshawn Jenkins were released from the team.
Lawrence is in the final year of his rookie contract.
The next item on the agenda is finalizing Trevor Lawrence’s contract. Lawrence originally signed a four-year rookie contract with the Jaguars in July 2021, valued at $36,793,488, which included a significant signing bonus of $24,118,900. Jacksonville has the option to exercise the fifth-year option on Lawrence’s rookie contract, and they have until the May 2 deadline to make that decision. If exercised, this would entail a fully guaranteed salary for Lawrence, estimated to be around $22 million for the 2025 season.
Jags working on Lawrence’s contract
Last week, Jacksonville GM Trent Baalke provided insight, stating, “We’ve had some productive discussions and meaningful conversations. I was in touch with his agency as recently as last night. Progress is being made, but these negotiations take time. Similar to Josh’s situation, I emphasized that patience is key, and it ultimately paid off. We’re pleased it was resolved before the offseason program, allowing us to focus on moving forward. We’re actively engaged in the process, with ownership and the coaching staff playing integral roles. We’re committed to finding a resolution and are optimistic about the outcome.”
The 2021 No.1 overall pick faced challenges with injuries towards the end of last year, dealing with various issues including bruising, a concussion, a Grade III ankle sprain, and a shoulder sprain. Despite these setbacks, he managed to accumulate 4,016 passing yards (slightly down from 4,113 in 2022), along with 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions across 16 games during the last season.
While Trevor Lawrence still has one year remaining on his current contract, he is now eligible to negotiate an extension as he has completed three years in the NFL. Currently, there’s no urgency, but prolonging the current situation wouldn’t benefit either party. Speaking to NFL Network, Lawrence expressed his perspective, saying, “Obviously, you want to have some security and earn what you’re worth. Regardless of when the extension comes, my focus remains the same – to prepare and perform at my best next season and lead the team as far as possible.”
