The NFL rumor mill is in overdrive with ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reporting that the Jacksonville Jaguars are “all in” on Trevor Lawrence and engaged in talks for a staggering extension expected to be in the $50 million range. This bombshell revelation has sent shockwaves through the league, igniting a fierce debate over whether the young quarterback truly warrants such a colossal investment.

While Lawrence has undoubtedly shown glimpses of his immense potential, his tenure in Jacksonville has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by inconsistency and unfulfilled expectations. Head coach Doug Pederson acknowledged the challenges, stating to reporters on Monday, “Obviously the sooner you get it done, right, it’s behind everybody, and now we focus on football, and so that’s not lingering and that’s not out there.”

Former NFL star LeSean McCoy has been vocal in their skepticism, asserting on SPEAK, “I never thought he was that good. I’ve been saying that right. It looks like I was right. Should he get paid 50 million dollars…people hyped him up he’s supposed to be so great generational talent. I don’t see none of that. I don’t see nothing that makes him even special.”

McCoy’s reservations stem from Lawrence’s perceived inability to elevate the team single-handedly, a trait that separates the truly elite quarterbacks from the rest. “What have you done for the Jaguars? Let’s talk about it because they didn’t go nowhere,” McCoy questioned, drawing comparisons to former Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles, who led the team to the AFC Championship game. While Lawrence’s supporters point to his impressive physical tools and upside, his detractors argue that his performance has yet to match the hype surrounding his status as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With just 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions in 2023, Lawrence’s regression from his promising sophomore campaign has raised eyebrows and amplified concerns about his long-term trajectory.

Compounding the scrutiny is the stark contrast between Lawrence’s potential payday and the fortunes of his fellow 2021 draftees. While Mac Jones had his fifth-year option rejected by the New England Patriots and Zach Wilson finds himself relegated to a backup role, Lawrence stands poised to secure a deal that could surpass the $50 million mark – a staggering figure that has left many questioning the Jaguars’ rationale.

As the Jaguars grapple with the Trevor Lawrence conundrum, their divisional rivals, the Miami Dolphins, find themselves navigating a similar quandary.

Tua Tagovailoa’s Contract aims to balance potential with performance for the Miami Dolphins

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, Tua Tagovailoa “arrived for the start of Miami’s organized team activities” on Monday, with contract negotiations ongoing between the quarterback and the team.

Fresh off a career-best season in which he led the NFL in passing yards (4,624) and set personal bests in touchdowns (29) and completion percentage (69.3%), Tagovailoa has undoubtedly strengthened his case for a lucrative extension. However, lingering concerns over his durability and the team’s struggles against top-tier competition have tempered the enthusiasm surrounding his potential payday.

Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier acknowledged the complexity of the negotiations, stating to ESPN, “When you go through these things … these are deals that very rarely come together quickly. There are a lot of pieces and moving parts. We’ve had positive discussions so far, and we’ll keep working here throughout the offseason.”

During 2023, Tagovailoa’s rise to fame had made him a franchise quarterback in the making; nevertheless, Miami needs to balance the potential gains against his injury proneness. The possibility of toughness seems like the biggest obstacle hindering them from deciding on what to do, given that he has missed eleven games from his first three seasons as a result of being injured. Also, there was the problem of the Dolphins not winning any game against teams with a winning record last season. This led people to question whether Tagovailoa can help this team reach the championship level.

As negotiations intensify, the Dolphins find themselves at a crossroads, tasked with securing their quarterback of the future while avoiding over-committing to an unproven commodity. In the ever-evolving landscape of the NFL, where franchise quarterbacks are coveted commodities, the handling of Tagovailoa’s and Trevor’s contracts could shape the trajectory of the teams for years to come.