Jaguars' Doug Pederson discusses Trevor Lawrence contract extension

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke reportedly "is pretty committed" to signing quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a contract extension ahead of Lawrence's fourth NFL season. 

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson discussed the situation during a Monday news conference. 

"I think it's part of the business," Pederson told reporters, per Eric Edholm of the NFL's website and Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "Obviously, the sooner you get it done, right, it’s behind everybody and now we focus on football, and so that’s not lingering, and that’s not out there. I know Trent and [Lawrence’s] agent, they’ve continued to talk and will talk, and they’re working hard and tirelessly. I’ve just got to coach Trevor and coach football and hopefully it gets done, and it will."

The first pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence struggled as a rookie during Urban Meyer's brief tenure as Jacksonville's head coach before Pederson took over in February 2022. Pederson and Lawrence guided the Jaguars to a playoff win in January 2023, but Lawrence then dealt with multiple injury-related setbacks last season as Jacksonville missed the playoffs following an 8-3 start to the campaign. 

According to ESPN stats, Lawrence finished the 2023 regular season ranked 18th in the NFL among qualified players with a 56.1 adjusted QBR and 10th with an average of 251 passing yards per game. Across 16 contests, he tossed 21 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. 

The Jaguars recently picked up the fifth-year option for 2025 attached to Lawrence's rookie contract, but signing him to an extension this summer ultimately could save Jacksonville some money down the road as the market for quarterback deals resets each offseason. Meanwhile, Pederson spoke on Monday about how the 24-year-old can grow as a leader throughout the preseason and help new teammates, such as rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., get ready for Week 1. 

"A veteran guy, guys, they're gonna look up to him," Pederson said about his QB1. "How well he incorporates some of the young players that we do have, that we're working with and developing, obviously Brian being one of them now."

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had the Jaguars at +240 odds behind only the Houston Texans at +110 odds to win the AFC South division title for the upcoming season. Lawrence likely would earn more guaranteed money if he bet on himself, didn't sign an extension this summer and then took Jacksonville back to the playoffs in January 2025. 

However, it sounds like he could ink an agreement at any time between this week and the club's regular-season opener at the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 8.