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Trevor Lawrence trade rumor: Source refutes 'laughable' Steelers-Jaguars trade report
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- Trevor Lawrence trade rumor: Source refutes 'laughable' Steelers-Jaguars trade report
The NFL offseason is an environment full of whispers, rumors, deception and a tiny bit of truth.
For the Jacksonville Jaguars , the former offseason traits have kicked into full gear after a rumor circulated surrounding a potential trade inquiry from the Pittsburgh Steelers for quarterback Trevor Lawrence .
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Water was immediately poured on the incoming flames, discrediting the idea that Lawrence was up for grabs at all.
A Jaguars source completely refuted even the premise to the Times-Union a few hours after the rumor circulated, calling the idea the Jaguars would trade Lawrence, "laughable," and refuting completely that the Steelers called.
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The rumor was first circulated by Big 10 Network reporter Ryan Burr, who reported via X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, that Pittsburgh made "inquiries to the [Jaguars] about a trade for Trevor Lawrence ." The kicker is Burr claimed the source of the info came directly from the Jaguars organization.
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"This [is] directly from the horses [sic] mouth in the Jags organization. WOW!" he said, adding later that he didn't believe the Jaguars would have any interest in dealing Lawrence, but gave kudos to Steelers general manager Omar Khan for asking the question.
The issue is that Jacksonville just gave Lawrence a five-year, $275 million contract extension last year.
He's signed to Jacksonville through at least the 2030 season and even if Jacksonville did want to deal the fifth-year QB, they'd have to become expert accountants to make the salary cap work out.
Not to mention the Jaguars organization has been steadfast in their support of Lawrence.
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Jaguars have consistently backed Trevor Lawrence even through organizational changes
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence listens to Liam Coen, not shown, speak after being introduced as the new head coach during a press conference Monday, Jan. 27, 2025 at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
It's not surprising that a fruitless rumor circulated shortly after the season ended. That happens with regularity in the NFL, especially when it involves a down-on-their-luck franchise like the one in Jacksonville.
The surprise, though, stems from Jacksonville's unwavering belief in Lawrence as the team's franchise quarterback. That's why there was an immediate and visceral reaction from Jaguars supporters on X.
It's also why ESPN's Mike DiRocco almost immediately put water on some of the flames before the Jaguars completely extinguished them.
"Regarding recent report that Steelers have inquired about a trade for Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence, a Jaguars source said there's "no chance" they'll trade Lawrence and called the idea 'ridiculous,'" DiRocco reported via X.
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DiRocco's report came just under two hours after the initial report surfaced and only 15 minutes after the Jaguars finished introducing offensive coordinator Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator.
When he was hired, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said in his introductory press conference that the offense would be "all about Trevor" moving forward.
"How do we make Trevor Lawrence and this offense as dynamic and explosive as we can be? We've got to build it around him as well. We've got to make every part of this about improvement, and he will be a part of that process. He's earned that right," said Coen when asked about how important stability will be for the young QB.
"I cannot respect his toughness and mentality and work ethic more than I do already from afar. This will all be about Trevor right now."
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Since being drafted with the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence has completed 63.3% of his passes for 13,815 yards, 69 touchdowns and 46 interceptions.
Shad Khan expressed full belief in Trevor Lawrence
JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 15: Shahid Khan, owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars, talks with Trevor Lawrence #16 before the game against the New York Jets at EverBank Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Jaguars owner Shad Khan has always been a strong believer in Lawrence. That much remained true even as the QB, and the rest of the team, struggled last season, heading into their London Games matchups 1-4 and on the edge of their looming downfall.
"It was absolutely the right decision for us, and it wasn't taken lightly. We've talked about it, thought about it, but I think it was the right decision then, and it's the right decision now," Khan told the Times-Union in an exclusive interview in London last October ahead of their matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 6.
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"What do we have to do to support him to win? And what does he have to do? It's a joint thing. The Sundays really determine [it]. If you get it done, if not, how do you have to redo it? So, I mean, I have absolutely no remorse."
At the time, Lawrence was playing some of his worst football under former head coach Doug Pederson.
He'd completed just 59.62% of his passes for 1,100 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions through five games. Far below expectations for a QB entering the prime of his career. Much of his production came during the week prior against the Indianapolis Colts . Lawrence completed 82.35% of his passes for 371 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Still, Khan's belief in the QB did not change. That much will be true until there is no rope left to give.
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Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @Demetrius82 or on Bluesky @ Demetrius .
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville Jaguars' Trevor Lawrence trade rumors to Steelers laughable
