Trevor Lawrence’s Mega Deal Turns Into Costly Gamble As Jaguars Struggle

Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence (NFL)

Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback, signed a massive extension after the 2023 season worth $55 million annually. However, his performance since then has not matched the expectations that come with being one of the highest-paid players in the league. Instead of emerging as a top-tier quarterback, Lawrence has struggled to deliver consistent production on the field.

Injuries, Poor Ratings, And Costly Turnovers Deepen Lawrence’s Growing Quarterback Struggles

Lawrence’s downturn began with injuries in 2024, when he missed seven games. In the 10 games he did play, his numbers were underwhelming: an 85.2 passer rating with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions. This season, his struggles have only deepened, posting the third-worst passer rating among qualifying quarterbacks at 70.3, with just four touchdowns, four interceptions, and a low yards-per-attempt average of 5.94.

Trevor Lawrence
Trevor Lawrence (NFL)

One glaring issue in Lawrence’s play has been turnovers. He has thrown an interception in six straight games, the longest active streak in the NFL. If he throws another against the San Francisco 49ers, he will tie former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles’ franchise record of seven consecutive games with an interception. This alarming trend has raised questions about his decision-making and consistency under pressure.

Jaguars Locked Into Lawrence’s Costly Deal As Mayfield Shines Affordably

The Jaguars’ financial commitment to Lawrence adds another layer of complexity. His contract is fully guaranteed through 2026, with $29 million locked in for 2027 and an additional $12 million vesting early in 2026. This structure leaves Jacksonville little flexibility, effectively binding the team to Lawrence despite his recent struggles. The guaranteed money makes it nearly impossible to move on from him in the short term.

Lawrence’s situation is mirrored in Miami, where the Dolphins are similarly tied to Tua Tagovailoa. In stark contrast, Tampa Bay’s Baker Mayfield is proving to be a bargain, delivering far better on-field results while making significantly less money. This comparison underscores the growing concern in Jacksonville: they are paying premium dollars for subpar performance while another Florida franchise is thriving on a budget quarterback deal.