Jaguars GM: Trevor Lawrence Contract Being Worked on; 'You Can't Force This Stuff'

As Trevor Lawrence prepares to enter the final year of his four-year rookie deal, Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke expressed that the two sides are working towards an extension, but he doesn't want to "force anything," per the Florida Times-Union's Demetrius Harvey.

"You try not to force anything. We've had some great talks and great conversations. I spoke with his agency again last night. We're working, but you can't force this stuff," Baalke said at the team's pre-draft luncheon Thursday.

If Lawrence and the Jaguars don't reach an agreement this offseason, he is still eligible to get his fifth-year option picked up for the 2025 season, and the option deadline is May 2. His fifth-year option would earn him an estimated $22 million, per Spotrac.

Last season, Lawrence had 4,016 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. While his numbers were down from the 2022 season, it's clear he will be the Jaguars franchise quarterback moving forward.

Spotrac gives Lawrence a calculated market value of $49.1 million per year, putting him around the same number as Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson and other top quarterbacks.

While he would like to have an extension finalized before the season, Lawrence said Tuesday that it's not his main focus at the moment.

"There's a lot that could happen. It's not really my focus right now, at the end of the day, my job isn't going to change whether I get extended or not before this season," Lawrence said. "I can't lie, obviously it would be nice to have that done and feel good about it, but no, it's not really the focus right now."

Harvey noted that Lawrence's agents spoke with Baalke Wednesday night.

After reaching the playoffs and advancing to the divisional round in the 2022 season, Jacksonville failed to reach the postseason a year ago. The Jaguars have a solid offensive core with Lawrence, running back Travis Etienne Jr., and newly-added wide receiver Gabe Davis, and they seem poised for a bounceback year in 2024.

Inking a deal with Lawrence before the season starts would give Jacksonville one less distraction as it looks to focus on the year ahead.