On Thursday, the Jacksonville Jaguars and quarterback Trevor Lawrence agreed to an enormous five-year contract extension value $275 million. The contract included $200 million in assured cash, with $142 million due at signing. To simplify, he’ll make $55 million per season, tied with Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow for essentially the most in soccer.
The deal sounds good for Lawrence — the previous first-overall choose from the 2019 NFL Draft — however in case you’re Tagovailoa, you have to really feel a bit slighted. In any case, the numbers recommend that Tua has been superior to Lawrence in virtually each aspect of his sport. However don’t imagine me. Try this graphic I discovered on Twitter .com.
Professional Soccer Reference
As you may see, apart from potential popping out of school, the one factor Lawrence has over Tua is his skill to increase performs together with his legs, one thing Miami’s QB1 is trying to develop on this offseason. Lawrence additionally has a playoff victory, which we are able to’t overlook. However from prime to backside, Tagovailoa has the benefit statistically, and you need to imagine that his new brokers at Athletes First need to agree.
On Saturday, NFL Community’s Tom Pelissero and Judy Battista mentioned the most recent on Tua’s contract negotiations. Pelissero and Battista recommended that $55 million per season is the brand new ground for Tagovailoa and his camp after Trevor’s extension.
“Miami, after all, has the leverage of a few franchise tags they might apply past (the fifth-year possibility),” Pelissero stated. “However this was at all times a deal that when it will get carried out, it’s going to be $50M+ for Tua Tagovailoa. And you’ll definitely make an argument, Judy, that with a Trevor Lawrence deal, $55M is now the brand new ground for Tua in Miami.”
Batista echoed his sentiment however went even one step additional.
“There’s no query, and Tua when he made these feedback, ‘he was antsy,’ that’s the phrase he used… think about how he should really feel now that Trevor Lawrence — a man who was drafted a 12 months after Tua was drafted — he’s already acquired his extension. Tua’s shouldn’t be carried out but. Actually, $55M is now the brand new ground for Tua. And if the Miami Dolphins will not be there and so they wish to get this deal carried out earlier than they open coaching camp, they need to get there. As a result of that’s the quantity and the quantity is simply rising with on daily basis that passes.”
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler additionally had an replace on the most recent talks between the Dolphins and Tua from Friday’s Sportscenter (H/T: @Ckparrot) :
“Haven’t made a variety of progress as of but, however I’m instructed they’ve been in talks, they’re a minimum of within the ballpark, and I wouldn’t be stunned if this begins to warmth up as early as subsequent week as a result of the Dolphins know that is the market and that is the main passer from final 12 months, performed all 17 video games, proved he might be sturdy, so he’s earned the coin, simply is dependent upon when Miami goes to place one thing on it.”
In conclusion, the Dolphins and Tagovailoa are at a crossroads. Whether or not that be with assured cash, the period of the contract extension, harm ensures, or one other caveat, nobody really is aware of.
What we do know, nevertheless, is that if the Dolphins and Tua don’t comply with phrases on a brand new deal earlier than the 2024 NFL season, we must always all begin to fear. Not solely as a result of Miami’s franchise quarterback can be enjoying within the ultimate 12 months of his contract but in addition as a result of quarterbacks like Cowboys’ Dak Prescott and Inexperienced Bay’s Jordan Love would probably receives a commission first. And if that have been to occur, Miami would have an actual downside on their palms. One which I don’t even know if Grier and his right-hand man Brandon Shore may clear up their manner out of.
Sure, $55 million per season is some huge cash, but when the Dolphins wish to keep out of quarterback purgatory — as all of us witnessed for 20 years after Marino retired — they’ll do what must be carried out to make their franchise quarterback blissful. Pay Tua Tagovailoa, it’s actually the one manner.
What are your ideas on Trevor Lawrence’s new contract extension? Do you suppose the Miami Dolphins ought to match it? Do you suppose the Dolphins and Tua Tagovailoa will comply with a contract extension earlier than the beginning of the 2024 NFL season? Tell us within the feedback part under!
