Former NFL general manager Randy Mueller, now of The Athletic, is among noteworthy members of the football community questioning if the Jacksonville Jaguars should be quick to sign quarterback Trevor Lawrence to a lucrative contract extension before September.

“With what I know, I would not reset the market right now for Lawrence, who has two years and $31.3M remaining on his contract, although I would see if I could sign him for less (which probably isn’t realistic but worth trying),” Mueller said for an article published on Wednesday. “Absent that, I would prefer to slow-play the situation, knowing I have him under contract through 2025 and the franchise tag available after that if necessary, while keeping my options open.”

Lawrence understandably endured a rocky rookie season during Urban Meyer’s brief tenure as Jacksonville’s head coach but seemed to turn things around in 2022 while working with current head coach Doug Pederson.

The 24-year-old then dealt with multiple injury-related setbacks this past season but also generated some concerns with his performances.

According to Pro Football Reference, Lawrence finished the 2023 regular season ranked 18th in the NFL among qualified players with a 56.1 adjusted QBR and 16th with a 46.4 percent passing success rate. Across 16 games, he tossed 21 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. Meanwhile, the Jaguars finished the campaign at 9-8 after they entered December at 8-3.

NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated recently noted that “it was undersold just how raw [Lawrence] was coming out of Clemson.” Mueller touched upon some of Lawrence’s flaws on Wednesday.

“But his internal clock — knowing when to get the ball out — and his decision-making under pressure are still a work in progress,” Mueller said about Lawrence. Mueller added that “Lawrence seems to want to flush from the pocket as soon as possible instead of stepping up” and “seldom gets to a second or third read because he doesn’t give the big picture of the play design enough time to reveal itself.”

Despite such alleged issues, Pederson expressed optimism last week that Lawrence will sign a contract extension before Jacksonville opens the 2024 season at the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 8.

“Lawrence still needs to grow, and paying him market-setting money would make it more difficult to provide him with the help he needs to keep growing,” Mueller said.

Of course, Lawrence would become more expensive and could reset the market next spring if he enjoys a career season between Week 1 and Super Bowl LIX.