Many Jets fans were dismayed by their team’s 2020 Week 16 win over Cleveland because it cost them Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence.
Because of this win, since both teams lost in Week 17, this gave the Jacksonville Jaguars the #1 pick, and they went with Lawrence.
The Jets had to settle for Zach Wilson at #2. The Jets’ selection of Wilson didn’t work out, and he’s no longer with the team, traded to Denver this off-season.
But if there is any silver lining to the Jets getting Wilson at 2, instead of Lawrence, at 1, it’s that the Jets didn’t have to pay Lawrence crazy money this off-season.
On June 14, Lawrence agreed to a five-year, $275 million deal with $200 million in guaranteed money, making him the NFL’s highest-paid player for now.
That contract is somewhat crazy based on Lawrence’s three-year NFL resume.
Lawrence has a 20-30 record as an NFL starter.
What is that old saying from Bill Parcells: “You are what your record says it is.”
And he turns the ball over too much with 39 picks and 33 fumbles during his three years playing for Jacksonville.
The Jets are lucky they didn’t have to do something like that this off-season, a move that comes with huge cap ramifications soon.
Is Lawrence worth taking a wrecking ball to your salary cap?
No.
You should pay $55 million a year for greatness, not mediocrity.
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