Trevor Lawrence‘s rookie deal with the Jaguars was a splashy affair. But Andrew Brandt, an ex-Packers executive and contract negotiator, throws some shade. “Big numbers, sure,” Brandt says of Lawrence’s contract, “but as per my analysis, the contract is not that good.” So, what’s got Brandt skeptical?

Former Packers’ VP Brandt discusses the differences between guaranteed money and total value. Comparing the Jaguars QB’s contract with other young gunslingers like Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Dak Prescott, Brandt emphasizes Lawrence’s contract is “the worst!”

Here’s the kicker: Lawrence’s “true guarantees”—the money he’s absolutely getting—total $142M over the entire five-year extension contract. This is way less than compared to young QBs like Jackson ($155M) and Burrow ($146M) in guaranteed cash within the first three years alone. 

Brandt goes even further, analyzing QB Lawrence’s annual cash flow. In year one, he made $39M, the least among rookie QBs like Goff ($80M), Jackson ($80M), Cousins ($62M), Jones ($46M), and Burrow ($45M). Over the next two, three, and four-year cash, Lawrence will earn $76.5M, $114M, and $155M, respectively. 

So, what’s the takeaway? Trevor Lawrence’s total contract may have “great numbers,” but Brandt argues guaranteed money is king. So, is it a bad deal for the Jacksonville QB? Not necessarily; Lawrence himself seems comfortable with the Jaguars’ offer. 

Jaguars’ Lawrence has no issue with the contract: “Respect Feels as Good as Anything”

While there’ve been concerns about Lawrence’s record-breaking contract, he’s all in with the Jaguars. On June 20, 2024, the young QB got a five-year, $275M deal ($55M annually). The 24-year-old acknowledges, “Sure, a strong finish [in 2023] would’ve been ideal,” referring to Jacksonville’s disappointing campaign. But Lawrence is still upbeat: “Learning from mistakes is huge,” he asserts, “but you just gotta experience some things firsthand.”

Trevor Lawrence feels that his experiences (which included a difficult first year and a patchy 2023) have prepared him for future success. He remarks, “I’ve seen it all—terrible seasons, bad starts,” alluding to the team’s ups and downs. Lawrence claims that this wild trip helped him understand the NFL grind: “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. It’s important to peak during the playoffs.

Jaguars’ QB Lawrence highlights that the big income may be tempting, but the real reward is respect: “Having the organization believe in me…respect feels as good as anything!” With a long-term deal and new game knowledge, Trevor Lawrence is ready to create a deeper impact and live up to everybody’s expectations.