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Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence, NFL
September 27, 2024 By  Jacksonville Jaguars

Why Jacksonville Jaguars Could End Up Regretting Trevor Lawrence’s $142 Million Contract Guarantee

A few months ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars signed quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a massive $142 million contract. Now, the team may end up regretting this move, especially after how the team has performed in recent weeks.

The Jaguars recently signed Lawrence to a big contract, hoping to build on his promising performances. However, the decision has raised eyebrows, particularly after the team’s disappointing start to the season, marked by an 0-3 record. Critics point to Lawrence’s struggles, including a concerning completion percentage of just 52.8%, which falls significantly below the typical benchmark of 70% for successful quarterbacks.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs the ball during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Browns defeated the Jaguars 18-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Lawrence’s performance has declined compared to his previous seasons, with reduced passing yards and touchdown efficiency. Fans are starting to question whether the Jaguars overcommitted to a player who has yet to consistently prove he can lead the team effectively.

The implications of this contract are significant. If the Jaguars decide to part ways with Lawrence, they risk incurring a hefty dead cap hit, particularly if they attempt to move on before the contract becomes more manageable in 2028. This financial burden adds pressure on the organization to ensure Lawrence turns his performance around quickly.

The Reason Why Trevor Lawrence’s $142 Million Contract Guarantee Could Spell Trouble for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence
Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) throws a pass in the first quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Lawrence’s huge contract is now looking like a bad decision for the Jaguars. This is highlighted in Dan Graziano’s NFL analysis for ESPN.

“Jaguars fans might want to stop reading now, but for those who are wondering about the long-term contract they just gave to quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has lost his past eight starts, I took a look. Lawrence was guaranteed $142 million at signing, and that guarantee is split up as follows — a $37.5 million signing bonus, a fully guaranteed salary of $1.5 million in 2024, $37 million of guaranteed money in 2025, $37 million of guaranteed money in 2026 and $29 million of guaranteed money in 2027. Yes, he has guaranteed money in the fourth year of the deal.

Lawrence is still 11 days shy of his 25th birthday, which is one of the reasons the Jaguars felt good about giving him the deal. They think he has plenty of time to improve and flourish. But it’s certainly fair to wonder, based on the way the past two seasons have gone, if this is a deal they could end up regretting when they’re still paying him big guaranteed money at age 28,” Graziano

As the Jaguars aim to maintain their momentum from last season, the pressure mounts for Lawrence to deliver results. If he cannot turn things around and secure a winning record, the rationale behind such a substantial investment could be called into question.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Trevor Lawrence
Sep 23, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence warms up before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

Ultimately, the Jaguars find themselves in a precarious position, needing to balance their faith in Lawrence’s potential with the realities of his on-field performance. Unless significant improvement occurs, this contract might become a major topic of debate in the coming years.

Jacksonville Jaguars, Joshua Hines-Allen
Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker (7), Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16), quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (41) greet each other at center field for the coin toss before the start of Saturday’s game. The Jaguars led 20 to 10 at the end of the first half. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Kansas City Chiefs in the Jaguars first preseason game of the season Saturday, August10, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]

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About Angelo Guinhawa

Angelo Guinhawa is a veteran sports writer and editor who has been working in the industry for over 10 years now. He has worked for FOX Sports PH and several other reputable sports publications. His specialty is the NBA and the NFL, though he also covers the MLB, NHL and European top-flight football.

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