Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence shares vow after signing contract extension

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence vowed during a Thursday news conference his mindset remains the same after he inked a five-year contract extension that starts in 2026, is worth up to $275M and included $142M fully guaranteed at signing.

“Playing quarterback in this league is pressure anyways,” Lawrence explained, as shared by Michael DiRocco of ESPN. “I guess on the outside there’s going to be a bigger expectation with the long-term deal and being the franchise quarterback and having the contract. It might change how other people look at it. But for me, I think I’ve kind of carried that responsibility anyways.”

Discussions about whether or not the Jaguars would wait until at least next offseason to sign Lawrence to an extension hovered over the organization throughout the spring after he endured a plethora of ups and downs across his first three pro seasons. 

Jacksonville put the matter to bed ahead of training camp, and the first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft will now be expected to do more than just produce impressive stats and guide the club to the occasional postseason appearance.

“Being a starting quarterback in this league is a big responsibility and the team goes as you go, and I know that,” Lawrence acknowledged. “So, I’m not going to add any pressure to myself just based on getting this contract. It doesn’t really change what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me.”

Lawrence has thus far won one of two career playoff starts, both of which occurred in January 2023. According to Pro Football Reference, he finished this past regular season ranked 18th in the NFL among qualified players with a 56.1 adjusted QBR and 16th with a 46.4 percent passing success rate. Over 16 games, he tossed 21 touchdown passes with a whopping 14 interceptions.

As of Thursday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Jaguars at +275 betting odds to win the AFC South division title for the upcoming season. At that same time, the reigning division champion Houston Texans were at +105 odds.

Lawrence didn’t call any shot on Thursday but insisted he’s confident the Jaguars can get to where they want to be by January 2025.

“The way the organization’s going and the direction that we’re heading on the football side, that makes it obviously a no-brainer for us,” Lawrence said, per Nick Shook of the NFL’s website. “We’re headed in the right direction, and I want to be the quarterback here. I want to bring a championship to Jacksonville. That’s my goal. I really know that we can accomplish that.”

By locking Lawrence down now, the Jacksonville front office unofficially confirmed it felt he’d be even more expensive roughly 12 months down the road. 

The 24-year-old hasn’t yet consistently matched such hype with his on-the-field performances in the NFL, but those running the Jaguars nevertheless are convinced he’ll silence doubters as soon as this coming fall.