The Jaguars finished the 2022 season strong, taking a significant step forward and advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs. Much of their success came about, of course, from the play of quarterback Trevor Lawrence. The second-year passer is set for a continued large role in the team in an off-field capacity. 
Lawrence will have a say in some of Jacksonville’s offseason moves, as detailed by Demetrius Harvey of the Florida Times-Union, including the upcoming free agent period. The Jaguars obviously made him the centerpiece of the organization by selecting him first overall in the 2021 draft, but his ascension this season under head coach Doug Pederson showed how vital he can be to their long-term success.
Lawrence is certainly not alone in terms of being given input on organizational decisions, especially in recent years. The news is still noteworthy, though, given how much more challenging Jacksonville’s offseason figures to be this spring. The rebuilding outfit had plenty of money to spend on the open market in 2022, and used it to add significant pieces on both sides of the ball. Their numerous additions in March, along with a rookie class led by another No. 1 pick, helped lead the team to an AFC South title.
Now, however, the Jaguars find themselves with cost-cutting to do to become cap compliant in the coming weeks. A few key pending free agents, including tight end Evan Engram and right tackle Jawaan Taylor, figure to be among the team’s top priorities. Mutual interest appears to exist in both player’s cases with respect to working out new deals to keep them in Duval County.
“You want to keep guys like that that really have set the standard for the organization and have been a part of what you’re building here,” Lawrence said, via Harvey, on the subject of Engram and Taylor’s free agent status. “I think moving forward, that’s one of the things you have to look at in the guys you want to have.”
Lawrence himself will not be eligible for an extension until next offseason, but he will spend the coming days and weeks playing a role in the Jaguars’ free agent planning. The decisions the team makes on that front will go a long way in determining their ability to repeat 2022’s success.
This is what smart teams do. They involve their star players in decisions.
Sure
Hopefully, that’s sarcasm, especially in the case of the Cardinals.
This is what lazy and incompetent front office executives do. Lawrence has no experience as a talent evaluator nor can he possibly make objective decisions that would benefit the team as a whole rather than just himself. If the free agent plans result in a disaster he’ll become a convenient “fall guy” though. His focus should be on improving his QB skills because that is the road to bigger paydays in the future.
This team has a championship pedigree, the fact that the QB has won, The budding star defensive player has Won and the Head Coach has Won. The sky’s the limit for the Jags
I agree they have championship pedigree, but define won? They were a nice surprise and snuck into the playoffs, and played a really good half against LAC. Pederson has won something significant, but the players have not.
Lawrence and their RB has Won a college football championship. Their #1 overall pick from 2022 has won a championship plus the coach has won SB
It doesn’t hurt to listen to his input – but you should never let any QB have a real say in the decision – as they tend to value relationships over on-the-field ability.
It seems to work out well for relationships too. Jamar Chase and Burrow work well together and Devante Adams had a great season with Carr. The player should never be the decider, that’s not what I said, but players have much more insight than you give them credit for. Brady won a Super Bowl in Tampa doing just that
Aaron Rodgers had a lot of say in bringing in Cobb etc. Worked out well. Lol
Glad the packers messed up not listening to him and drafting wr’s. They’d be a lot better with Tee Higgens than Jordan Love last few years.
Are you really using a 1st ballot HOFer as an excuse for not giving his opinion? Rodgers has been giving his input for years and he’s been a pretty good quarterback
“being given input on organizational decisions,”
I heard Russell Wilson will be asking to have input on the team. He has free time since Denver will not let him help there.