JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After the record-breaking contract extension between the Jaguars and Trevor Lawrence, it’s not a shock that it is a talker around town, drawing mixed reactions.
Lawrence inked a 5-year, $275 million contract extension with the team, making him on the highest-paid quarterbacks in league history.
“I think it’s good. I think it’s time for the city to, you know, find the face of the franchise,” Mark Melo said while cutting hair at The Barbers Club off San Jose Boulevard in the Arrowhead neighborhood.
COMMENTARY: Look at the context, not just the number, in Trevor Lawrence’s deal
Melo said the quarterback made his top 10 list, even though he is a Miami Dolphins fan.
Angel Alicea was getting his hair cut. He’s a huge Jaguars fan.
“He’s an elite quarterback as a young guy, but he still needs a little bit more experience,” Alicea said.
Caleb Hunt, who also loves the Jags, works at a tattoo shop across from the barbershop. He said one of the 2024 draft picks sat in his chair to get a tattoo.
“It’s a lot of money. That’s a lot of money. It definitely is. And I think it’ll be an initiative for him to work towards being paid like that. It’ll show that the team really believes in him,” Hunt said.
News4JAX Insiders also chimed in on the subject.
“No one is worth that kind of money,” one Insider shared.
“I would NOT have offered this amount of money until this season is completed. The results would bring a better look at a new contract. His stats do not warrant this type of money based on the last 3 season,” Insider Wayne said.
News4JAX also spoke with Dr. Lynn Lashbrook who works with Sports Management Worldwide.
Lashbrook said for players like Lawrence, a team should put out the big bucks because it wouldn’t want to lose him.
“I always remind people why do we always fire a general manager and head coaches. It’s because they miss out on getting it right on the quarterback,” Lashbrook said.
Another point that Lashbrook made was that it’s not solely about a player’s field performance. It’s also about the NFL’s global reach.
He said the Jags are betting on the organization to increase its value, and that could be why the contract was so massive.
“I think we’re going this year, all the way. All the way. All the way,” Hunt said.
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