(Photo Credit: NFL)
The Jacksonville Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence have agreed to a five-year, $275 million contract extension, according to a report from ESPN.
Overview of the Contract Extension
The contract includes $200 million guaranteed, with $142 million guaranteed at signing. Lawrence will also receive a $37.5 million signing bonus. The new deal begins in 2026, keeping Lawrence with the team through 2030.
With an average annual salary of $55 million, Lawrence’s deal ties him with Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals for the highest average salary in the NFL.
Comparison with Other Top NFL Quarterbacks
Lawrence is now the sixth quarterback to earn more than $50 million annually, joining Jared Goff ($53 million), Justin Herbert ($52.5 million), Lamar Jackson ($52 million), and Jalen Hurts ($51 million). Patrick Mahomes, who earns $46.339 million annually, is just below this group.
This contract makes Lawrence the ninth quarterback with $100 million or more fully guaranteed. He joins Deshaun Watson ($230 million), Burrow ($146.5 million), Jackson ($135 million), Herbert ($133.7 million), Goff ($113.6 million), Hurts ($110 million), Kyler Murray ($103.3 million), and Josh Allen ($100 million).
Lawrence’s Performance and Impact on the Jaguars
In his first three seasons, Lawrence has become fourth all-time in Jaguars history for passing yards (11,770) and passing touchdowns (58). He has a 21-31 record as a starter, including playoffs. In 2022, he led the Jaguars to the AFC South title and orchestrated a comeback from a 27-0 deficit to win 31-30 against the Chargers in a wild-card playoff game, before losing to the Chiefs in the divisional round.
Challenges and Improvements in Lawrence’s Career
Lawrence had a strong start in 2023 with an 8-3 record but struggled with injuries (concussion, ankle, and shoulder) in the final six weeks, resulting in a 1-5 finish and missing the playoffs.
The Jaguars selected Lawrence first overall in 2021. He had a challenging rookie year under coach Urban Meyer, throwing a league-high 17 interceptions. Meyer was fired after 13 games, and Lawrence improved significantly under coach Doug Pederson in 2022, throwing for 4,113 yards, 25 touchdowns, and only eight interceptions. The Jaguars finished the 2022 season 9-8 and won the AFC South after a 6-1 run in the final two months.
Lawrence has also accumulated 60 turnovers in his first three seasons, including an NFL-high 21 in 2023 (14 interceptions and seven lost fumbles). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, only 11 quarterbacks who debuted since 1978 have had more turnovers in their first three seasons. This list includes Hall of Famers Warren Moon (73), Peyton Manning (64), and John Elway (61).
