Time to roar: Lawrence now a Jaguar
Rodgers opens up, at least to some extent
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is signed, sealed and waiting to deliver.
The No. 1 overall draft pick in the 2021 NFL draft and the presumptive savior for a beleaguered franchise, signed a rookie contract on Monday for $36.8 million, which includes $24.1 million in guaranteed money and the usual fifth-year option.
The Jaguars didn’t release the financial terms of the deal but ESPN’s Adam Schefter, citing sources, disclosed the specifics, which are standard for NFL rookies given Lawrence’s draft standing.
In addition, Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network reported that Lawrence passed a physical that was part of the deal and will get his signing bonus within 15 days, according to his sources. The contract includes no offset language and has automatic roster bonuses from 2022-24, which are guaranteed even if Lawrence is on the active/non-football injury list.
Offset clauses, which have been stumbling blocks in the past between NFL teams and rookies such as Joey Bosa and Marcus Mariota, enable a team to cut a player before his four-year contract is completed, and have the remaining money reduced by the amount of his next contract, if he re-signs with another team.
The only public comment from Lawrence was when he re-Tweeted the Jaguars’ announcement of his signing with the comment: “Gonna give #Duval everything I got. Couldn’t be more proud to represent Jacksonville. Let’s go!!!”
Lawrence, described by scouts, national media and almost everyone else as a “generational” quarterback, led Clemson to a 34-2 record as a starter from 2018-2020 and led the Tigers to the national championship as a freshman.
He has never lost a game he started during a high school or college regular season. Lawrence’s combination of arm strength on deep throws, touch on intermediate and short routes, deceptive running ability and high football IQ made him the most coveted quarterback by NFL teams since Andrew Luck.
RODGERS UPDATE: Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers says he has spent this offseason focusing on improving himself in every respect, and that goes beyond making sure he’s in top physical shape.
Rodgers skipped Green Bay’s mandatory minicamp last month amid reports that he doesn’t want to return to the Packers. At a Monday news conference to promote his participation in Tuesday’s televised golf event with Tom Brady, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, Rodgers was asked how the last few months have gone for him.
Aside from a brief ESPN interview in late May, Rodgers hasn’t commented much about his football future since ESPN reported in the hours before the draft that he doesn’t want to return to the Packers.
“Sometimes, the loudest person in the room is not the smartest person,” Rodgers said. “Sometimes the loudest person in the room is not the person who has all the facts on their side or the truth on their side. Sometimes there’s a lot of wisdom in silence. Sometimes there’s a lot of wisdom in being selective on what you say. This offseason I’ve spent a lot of time working on myself.”
Rodgers then went into detail on just what type of work he had done.
“I’ve focused on in the offseason about how to take care of myself — the total package,” Rodgers said. “Not just my physical self with workouts but my spiritual self with my own mindful practices, my mental health as well. What’s the best way to take care of that? And that’s what I’ve been doing this offseason. That’s why I’ve taken the time I’ve taken and done the things or not done the things that I’ve done. And I’m very thankful for that time.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity to work on my mental health. I haven’t dealt with bouts of depression or anything that for whatever reason are OK to talk about if you’re talking about mental health. I’ve just been really trying to think about what puts me in the best frame of mind.”
Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst has said he has no plans to trade Rodgers. Packers officials have said they want to keep Rodgers in Green Bay in 2021 and beyond.
Rodgers was promoting “The Match,” a made-for-TV event that pits the Packers quarterback and DeChambeau against Brady and Mickelson. Live coverage of the event is set to begin at 3 p.m, televised by TNT.