NFL salary cap expert raises major complaint with Trevor Lawrence's $275,000,000 contract extension
The Jacksonville Jaguars solidified Trevor Lawrence as their franchise quarterback after signing him to a massive contract extension last week. The former Clemson standout signed a five-year contract extension worth $275 million.
Jason Fitzgerald, who is an NFL salary cap expert, was a guest on the "Ross Tucker Podcast" on Monday morning and shared his thoughts on Lawrence's contract. Fitzgerald believes that the quarterback should have waited until after the 2024 NFL season to sign an extension.
“I think that there was a lot more upside for him if he went out there and had a really good season this year. If the Jaguars went and actually competed for the playoffs, won a couple of playoffs games, I think he could’ve pushed that figure to about $60 million a year," Fitzgerald said.
“It’s still a really good contract but I thought that he kinda rushed into it. I didn’t think there was any reason to do it now. At the very least, he could wait for Jordan Love, wait for Tua, see if any of those teams do something.”
Fitzgerald's thought process is that if Lawrence waited until Jordan Love and Tua Tagovailoa signed, he could have used it as possible leverage for his own contract.
Trevor Lawrence now sits at the top of the highest-paid QB list
Former first-overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence is heading into his fourth season in the NFL. He has helped turn the Jaguars around in recent years and even has a playoff win on his NFL resume. He will now get the opportunity to try and bring more success to Duval County with his new five-year extension.
Lawrence is now tied for the top spot among the highest-paid quarterbacks. His new extension will pay him $55 million a season, which is now tied with Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The two-highest paid quarterbacks in the league were also the first overall draft selections in 2020 and 2021.
Lawrence isn't the only member of the Jacksonville Jaguars to sign a lucrative contract this season. Linebacker Josh Allen signed a five-year deal worth $141.25 million earlier this offseason.