Trevor Lawrence not adding pressure on himself after extension with Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars erased all uncertainty about star quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s future by giving him the largest contract in franchise history: a five-year extension worth $275 million.
The massive deal includes $142 million guaranteed, a $37.5 million signing bonus, and will pay him $55 million annually. All that seemingly places a significant spotlight on Lawrence to lead the Jaguars toward significant success.
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Even with that increased outside expectations, the 24-year-old doesn’t feel any more pressure to lead the team.
“Playing quarterback in this league is pressure anyways,” Lawrence said Thursday via 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.
“Being a starting quarterback in this league is a big responsibility and the team goes as you go, and I know that. 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.”
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After guiding the Jaguars to an AFC title in 2022, the team looked poised to follow a similar path last season behind an 8-3 start. However, a concussion, along with nagging ankle and shoulder injuries, contributed to Jacksonville missing the playoffs after losing five out of their last six games.
The new contract demonstrates that the Jaguars are confident that Lawrence can guide them back toward potential Super Bowl contention in the years ahead.
