Since quarterback Jared Goff of the Detroit Lions signed a four-year, $212 million contract deal, making him the second-highest paid quarterback in the NFL at $53 million per season, some have speculated as to who will be the next signal-caller to profit from the lucrative quarterback market.
Many anticipate Trevor Lawrence, who is supposedly in negotiations for a new contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
However, ESPN commentator Dan Orlovsky, a former quarterback, doesn’t think Lawrence has yet merited such a large salary.
Orlovsky stated on “NFL Live” that “there’s no way we can sit here and say he deserves elite money right now.”
“You would be paying him because you expect him to become an elite quarterback, and he is an elite talent.” You would think that he would at last break through into the top-eight quarterback conversation for the season.
Trevor hasn’t quite reached that level yet. After three NFL seasons, Lawrence is currently hovering around the good-but-not-great range.
With 58 touchdowns to 39 interceptions, a completion percentage of 63.8, and a passer rating of 85, he has completed passes with an average of 235.4 yards per game, which is below the league average.
But if 2024 quarterback salaries are as high as they should be, Lawrence’s next contract should bring in almost $50 million a year, placing him among the NFL’s top six quarterbacks.
The only players who would be in the same area are Goff, Joe Burrow of Cincinnati ($55 million annually), Justin Herbert of Los Angeles ($52.5 million annually), Lamar Jackson of Baltimore ($52 million annually), and Jalen Hurts of Philadelphia ($51 million annually).
Orlovsky seems to imply that Lawrence could be able to make more money by staying in the long run if he were to wait a little while longer and advance to the next level of his development.
“If I were Trevor Lawrence, I wouldn’t sign right away,” Orlovsky continued. “..The Jags will never look at him and say, “Elite money.” He has been the starting quarterback for the previous two years, and they are 17-16.
He has what, 42 touchdowns and 22 interceptions? Very nice, but I’m not ready to join that exclusive group just yet.
