PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – There will be hundreds of reports some filled with truth, some speculation, some wishful thinking, some just made up between now and the start of NFL free agency. Let’s dive into the latest Steelers free agent connection, Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Would it be worth giving up a first and second round pick for the young QB?
Former Sportsnet Pittsburgh reporter and also reporter with the Golf Channel and other outlets Ryan Burr said the Steelers have inquired with the Jags about trading for Lawrence. He didn’t say it would happen or go any further, but let’s go with it.
Lawrence does have something that is talked about more in baseball and hockey, team control. Lawrence recently signed a five-year, $275 million contract. The cap hits would be $17 million in 2025, $24 million in 2026, $35 million in 2027 and $47 million in 2028. There is an out clause in the contract for 2029 or he would cost $78.5 in 2029 and $74.8 in 2030.
He is only 25-years-old and entering his fifth season with Jacksonville after being the number one overall pick in 2021. Here are his four seasons.
2021
· 3-14 record (crazy Urban Meyer season), 59.6% completion, 3641 yards, 12 TD, 17 INT, 334 rushing yards, 2 TD, 4.6 average
Best game—26-11 win over 9-win Indy-72% completion, 223 yards, 2 TD
Worst game—4 interceptions in 20-0 loss at Tennessee
2022
· 9-8 record (Doug Pederson head coach), 66.3% completion, 4113 yards, 25 TD, 8 INT, 95.2 QB rating, 291 rushing yards, 5 TD, 4.7 average
Best--He had a run in 6 straight games against Las Vegas, Kansas City, Baltimore, Detroit, Tennessee, Dallas of combined 70% completion, 1680 yards, 14 TD, INT, 140 rushing yards, TD
Worst-58% completion, 133 yards, TD, 2 interceptions in loss to Denver
2023
· 8-8 (Doug Pederson), 65.6% completion, 4016 yards, 21 TD, 14 INT, 88.5 quarterback rating, 339 rushing yards, 4 TD, 4.8 rushing average
5-7 vs. winning teams, led 25-20 win at Buffalo throwing for 315 yards, TD, in OT loss to Cincinnati led drive to tie game with 26 seconds left, 76% completion, 258 yards, 2 TD
Worst-3 interceptions in 31-27 loss at Cleveland
2024
· 2-8 (Doug Pederson), 60.6% completion, 2045 yards, 11 TD, 7 INT, 85.2 rating, 119 rushing yards, 3 TD, 4.6 average
0-4 vs winning teams, 47-10 at Buffalo, 55%, TD, INT, 178//lost 24-20 at Houston, 55%, 169, 2 TD//lost 30-27 Green Bay, 308, 2 TD, INT//lost 28-23 at Philly, 52%, 169, 0 TD, 2 INT
Jacksonville has the fifth overall pick this year and would add the Steelers 21st overall selection. They have a number of needs after a four-win season that a pair of high-round picks would help them fill. However, if you are the new Jags general manager, would you want to start your tenure by trading a first-overall pick and go hunting for a quarterback in a poor QB draft?
It’s speculation season, there are the numbers on the latest.