Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ signal-caller, is the latest NFL quarterback to land a massive payday. On Thursday, he signed a five-year, $275 million contract with $200 million guaranteed, with the franchise that picked him first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
This move makes Lions quarterback Jared Goff’s recent contract—and its timing—appear even more reasonable. Before Lawrence’s extension, it was already challenging to argue that Goff didn’t deserve his new deal. Now, with Lawrence’s hefty contract terms public, it’s nearly impossible.
Lawrence, 24, will average $55 million per year, with 72% of his total earnings guaranteed. In contrast, Goff, who signed a four-year, $212 million deal with Detroit in mid-May, will earn around $53 million per season, with just over 53% of his contract, or $113.6 million, fully guaranteed.
When it comes to on-field production, Goff has the edge. It’s not just about career accolades since Goff began his career five years earlier with the Rams in 2016. Comparing their performance since Lawrence joined the NFL in 2021, Goff has been more productive. Over the last three seasons, Lawrence has thrown for 58 touchdowns against 39 interceptions, with 11,770 total yards, and a 63.8% completion rate. He led the Jaguars to an AFC South division title and a playoff berth in 2022.
Meanwhile, Goff has thrown for more touchdowns (78) and yards (12,258), with fewer interceptions (27). He has a higher completion rate (66.5%) and has led Detroit on more game-winning drives (eight) compared to Lawrence’s six with Jacksonville. Additionally, Goff has taken the Lions to a division crown and deeper into the playoffs (the conference championship round) than Lawrence has with the Jaguars (the divisional round).
Lawrence, younger than Goff who turns 30 in October, has a contract based more on his potential and future impact for Jacksonville. However, his new deal validates the Lions’ decision to invest in Goff. This is yet another masterstroke by Brad Holmes as Detroit’s general manager.