This week’s mailbag tackles the Oklahoma State Cowboys in a revamped Big 12 and Trevor Lawrence’s extension
In this week’s rendition of The Mailroom, we tackle some serious questions about Trevor Lawrence’s new contract extension, what the outlook for Oklahoma State is in the middle of a newly revamped Big 12, and where in the world is Aaron Rodgers.
As always, be sure to sic your dogs on us whenever and wherever. At the end of the day, we want your input– especially when it comes to y’all berating us. Send your submissions for The Mailroom at: thesidelinecatch@gmail.com.
Trevor Lawrence just got a big extension, is he worth it or is the quarterback market getting completely out of hand?
Davis C. | Rehoboth Beach, DE
Davis, to answer that question, it must be split into multiple parts. Sure, you’re not wrong in saying the quarterback market is getting out of hand. QB prices have been skyrocketing with no end in sight for the past couple of years. In fact in our analysis of the Trevor Lawrence deal, we alluded to the fact that even Daniel Jones was briefly the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL. But it makes sense for the Jaguars.
The notion of if Lawrence is worth it is arbitrary. The direct answer is no. Lawrence has been consistently mediocre if not somewhat below expectations to what pundits thought he’d be by now. That doesn’t warrant being tied with Joe Burrow for the highest-paid player in NFL history in terms of average value per year. However, from the Jaguars’ perspective, it made sense.
Lawrence has two more years on his rookie contract but locking him up gets rid of one of the factors that ruins teams in the long-run– turnover. Stability is good for the Jaguars because it allows them to invest their resources into building the right team for Lawrence. In addition, with the quarterback market climbing, the Jaguars were right to get ahead of the curve with a 5-year, $275 million deal before he got even more pricey.
How do you think the Oklahoma State Cowboys are going to perform in the upcoming season? The Big 12 looks a lot different and with two of the frontrunners gone, could they have a chance?
Davis W. | Ada, OK
The team is coming off a ten-win season and some of the biggest competitors in the conference left? On paper, I’d say yes. In reality, probably not. The team lacks the depth and talent I’d want to see out of a contender. Nearly the entire offense will make a return but make no mistake, they’ll still face stiff competition.
Kansas State and Kansas are both good teams, along with even Iowa State. It’s tough to see Oklahoma State putting up much of a fight past the halfway point in the season. Even if they do repeat a double-digit win season, with 16 teams in the playing field, it’s far from a certainty that they’ll make it happen.
Where in the world is Aaron Rodgers??
Guy S. | Oceanside, CA
Not showing up to voluntary minicamp is one thing. Not showing up to mandatory minicamp when a team has invested nearly all their time and resources into you is another. The Jets have run themselves dry trying to appease Rodgers. He now pays them back by completely going AWOL to the public during mandatory– emphasis: mandatory minicamp.
In reality, we have no clue where Rodgers is, nor when he’ll show back up. Some say he’s overseas, others say he’s on a ayahuasca retreat, some say he’s cooped up in a shed in the middle of nowhere with the lights off again. Wherever he’s at, it’s simply an embarrassment to the sport of football.
The Jets have a lot banking on one man and his Achilles. They better not fold.
