Trevor Lawrence’s Roots Run Deep in Jacksonville: Trade Rumors Debunked
In the offseason, trade rumors tend to swirl, particularly during periods of news scarcity. Amidst this speculative landscape, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence found himself at the center of discussions involving a potential move to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
However, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero swiftly debunked the rumor on "The Rich Eisen Show," clarifying that it was unfounded. Despite this, the speculation caught Lawrence’s attention, prompting him to address the situation candidly during an appearance on the "Up & Adams" show.
"That’s funny," remarked Lawrence. "You know, I didn’t really see anything. My agent texted me and… said, ‘Hey, this is a report that’s out there. I don’t think there’s anything to it, but I’ll check into it.’ So I saw it, and it’s funny though. Like, when he sent it to me, I was like, I wouldn’t say your heart drops, but you’re kind of like, ‘what?’ And then I’m thinking about how I can’t even get—I have a no-trade clause in my contract, so I would know about it if I was getting traded, or if that was something that was gonna happen, you know, I’d have to be on board with it. Which I’m not."
Lawrence emphasized his unwavering commitment to achieving playoff aspirations in Jacksonville. "I’m happy here in Jacksonville," he asserted. "I plan on, you know, we want to win a Super Bowl here, and I think we can do that. And I don’t want to leave Jacksonville. So I’m happy here, obviously not going to Pittsburgh."
Host Kay Adams inquired about how Lawrence ascertained the rumor’s falsity given the Jaguars’ current lack of a general manager.
"I think my agent reached out to Adam Schefter and was just like, ‘Hey, did you hear anything about this?’" explained Lawrence. "He did hear from the team’s new head coach, Liam Coen, the following day to put the quarterback’s mind at ease. Liam texted me, actually, I guess the day after it came out, and Liam said, ‘Shouldn’t even have to say this, but that’s not coming from us.’"
"I was like, ‘yeah, I figured.’ So we’re all good," continued Lawrence. "He didn’t even have to send that. There was no doubt on my side."
With Lawrence’s disinclination to depart the Jaguars, the team faces no imminent concerns regarding his future. He is contractually obligated through the 2030 season and enjoys a no-trade clause for the duration of the agreement, according to Spotrac.
Prior to the 2024 season, Lawrence inked a five-year, $275 million extension, carrying a $17 million cap hit for 2025, which will escalate in subsequent years.
Statistically, the 2024 season marked Lawrence’s most challenging since his rookie campaign. He finished with a 2-8 record, a completion rate of 60.6%, 11 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a career-high sack rate of 5.96%.
An injury-plagued season was ultimately cut short due to a shoulder injury and a concussion sustained during a hit from the Texans’ Azeez Al-Shaair, resulting in a three-game suspension.
The former Clemson star aims to regain his form under the tutelage of a new coaching staff, particularly with Cohen’s proven success with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season. Notably, both Lawrence and the Jaguars are committed to mutual success.
"Like I said, we love Jacksonville," stated Lawrence. "This is home for us, and there’s a lot more on the football side that, you know, we’ve yet to accomplish here, and I’m excited about what we’re building. The future is very bright, and I want to be the guy here for a long time."
With the trade rumors effectively quashed, both parties remain focused on silencing future speculation by securing victories on the field.
