Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
Large cash got here to Trevor Lawrence as a result of he was subsequent on the checklist of high quarterbacks to be paid.
Final offseason was for the likes of Jalen Hurts, Justin Herbert, Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson. This offseason has been for Lawrence and Jared Goff. Subsequent on the checklist are Dak Prescott, Tua Tagovailoa and Jordan Love, all three of whom may additionally obtain their paydays as quickly as this summer season.
It is the best way of the market. You do not have to be a consensus top-five participant at your place to get the newest record-setting contract. It is about timing.
Thursday was Lawrence’s time. He agreed to phrases on a five-year, $275 million extension with the Jacksonville Jaguars that features $200 million assured and $142 million totally assured, a supply confirmed to FOX Sports activities. At $55 million per yr, Lawrence ties Burrow for the very best common annual worth in league historical past. The previous Clemson star is underneath contract by 2030.
Now, can Lawrence reside as much as the deal?
The No. 1 general decide in 2021, Lawrence has had flashes of greatness. He had 15 passing touchdowns to simply two interceptions within the Jaguars’ final eight video games of the 2022 season, guiding Jacksonville to a surprising AFC South title and playoff win. He had a passer ranking over 100 in seven of his first 12 video games that season.
However his spurts of poor decision-making and propensity for turnovers can go away league observers shaking their heads. He has a league-leading 60 giveaways since getting into the league. Lawrence has but to place collectively a full season of constant, elite play.
The Jaguars have poured sources into constructing the staff round Lawrence, to maximise the potential that made him a generational prospect popping out of Clemson.
This offseason, they misplaced high receiver Calvin Ridley in free company and launched Zay Jones, however they added veteran Gabe Davis and first-round decide Brian Thomas Jr., who led the FBS in receiving touchdowns final season. They’ve prioritized continuity on the offensive line — extending left guard Ezra Cleveland, restructuring Brandon Scherff and retaining left sort out Cam Robinson, who was regarded as a cap casualty candidate — to enhance the run sport. They added an skilled heart in Mitch Morse, who has snapped for elite quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen. On the defensive aspect of the ball, they’ve added the likes of defensive sort out Arik Armstead, security Darnell Savage and cornerback Ronald Darby.
General, the Jaguars have prioritized the mixing of playoff-seasoned gamers to stop final season’s collapse — a 1-5 end after beginning the yr 8-3 — from occurring once more.
These gamers shouldn’t solely assist shoulder the management load with Lawrence (and out of doors linebacker Josh Allen), but additionally present him the right way to do it successfully.
“He is changing into the vocal chief within the locker room, on the sphere, in conferences,” coach Doug Pederson stated this offseason of Lawrence’s development. “He is partaking. Once we bought him three years in the past, he was simply studying our system and type of quiet and simply making an attempt to undergo the motions just a little little bit of simply making an attempt to adapt to us and get a really feel for us. … Now he is giving us ideas and concepts and actually changing into one other coach, a set of eyes on the sphere.”
After the 2022 season, Lawrence gave the impression to be approaching superstardom. However his numbers regressed in most main classes in 2023 — completion price, passing yards, passing touchdowns, interceptions, passer ranking and EPA per dropback amongst them.
The setback requires context, although.
The Jaguars offense did not have the identical circulation final season with offensive coordinator Press Taylor calling performs (Pederson stated there’s been no choice on who will name performs in 2024). Accidents to the staff’s high receivers have been rampant. An injury-riddled offensive line impacted the speeding assault.
Lawrence had his personal well being challenges, too. He missed the primary sport of his profession and a considerable quantity of follow within the second half of the season. He suffered a concussion and battled shoulder, knee and ankle points.
However Lawrence is getting into Yr 4. The inconsistencies should be eradicated.
It is time to lastly present that he is definitely worth the cash that is now his.
Ben Arthur is the AFC South reporter for FOX Sports activities. He beforehand labored for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Community, the place he was the Titans beat author for a yr and a half. He coated the Seattle Seahawks for SeattlePI.com for 3 seasons (2018-20) previous to transferring to Tennessee. You’ll be able to comply with Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur.
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