Jaguars claim Steelers calling about trade for QB Trevor Lawrence is ‘ridiculous’: Report
The Jacksonville Jaguars are disputing a report that they received an inquiry about trading quarterback Trevor Lawrence, calling the notion “ridiculous.”
A report circulated earlier Thursday that the Pittsburgh Steelers asked the Jaguars about Lawrence. Big Ten Network’s Ryan Burr reported that he heard directly from someone in Jacksonville’s organization that the Steelers had inquired about a deal.
However, the Jaguars told ESPN’s Michael DiRocco that there was “no chance” the team would trade Lawrence. Furthermore, the reporter was told that no conversation with the Steelers about a potential Lawrence deal ever took place.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero later corroborated DiRocco’s reporting on “The Rich Eisen Show,” saying that the rumors were “fake” and the Steelers never made that call.
Lawrence, 25, appeared in only 10 games for the Jaguars last season after undergoing season-ending surgery to repair the AC joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder. The decision occurred after the quarterback was knocked out of Jacksonville’s 23-20 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 13, suffering a concussion on a hit by Azeez Al-Shaair that drew a three-game suspension.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence threw for 2,045 yards, 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 60.6% of his passes last season. He signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension during the previous offseason, matching the highest average annual salary in NFL history. Additionally, his contract includes a no-trade clause.
Shortly after new head coach Liam Coen was hired by the Jaguars, he spoke about working with Lawrence in seasons to come.
“This league is still about scoring,” Coen said to Jacksonville reporter Brett Martineau. “It’s about quarterback development and scoring points. It’s so much about Trevor. How do we make his job easier? He’s the future of our organization. He wants the responsibility, but we have to help him.”
The Steelers have to decide whether to bring back QBs Russell Wilson or Justin Fields or pursue a free-agent option such as Aaron Rodgers, who isn’t returning to the New York Jets. Notably, the team has never made the kind of deal, in terms of taking on salary and trading high draft picks, that would be required to get Lawrence.
That is, if he were even available, and the Jaguars say he isn’t.
