O-Zone: What is done

JACKSONVILLE – Let’s get to it …

Some people are fretting over the cost of Trevor’s contract. But by Year 2 – definitely by Year 3 – I bet it won’t even be in the Top 10 highest contracts. People need to look at the big picture.

This is among the underlying truths of the contract extension Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence officially signed Thursday. It’s a five-year extension that means Lawrence likely will be under contract with the team through the 2030 season. The structure gives the Jaguars salary-cap flexibility, particularly early in the contract. It indeed absolutely will be more affordable as time moves forward. The fast-paced nature of NFL inflation guarantees that will happen remarkably quickly.

KOAF, a question I have never seen answered. Team A is playing Team B. Something happens to one team where it only has 30 active players medically. What happens to the game? Forfeit, or rescheduled.

Neither. It would be the responsibility of the team sustaining injuries to sign free agents or elevate players from the practice squad.

Crash from Glen Saint Mary, FL

OZ! If you like Letterkenny then you’ll love the spin off … Shorsey.

Pedal Bin from Farnborough, Hampshire, UK

Oh Mighty “O”/King of All Funk, so another UK Jags Tour and still no mighty King Of All Funk on the guest list – just former Jaguars left tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Boselli, Jaguars inside linebacker Foye Oluokun, Jaguars long snapper Ross Matiscik and [Jaguars Special Teams] Coach [Heath] Farwell. Did you not fancy a week in the UK with Tony Boselli? Or are you keeping “your powder dry” for the O-Zone UK Meet and Greet Party Extravaganza in October?

As much as I would looooove to hang in London for a week with a Hall of Famer, even Boselli, I alas am a humble senior writer. The air of that group is too rarified to include a man of such humble status.

“Blossom and Charles in Charge?” Good one, Zone.

I am the king of all funk.

Bobby from Salt Lake City

Hey, O. I’m curious. We just signed Denzel Mims. Is there a reason we keep signing receivers instead of an area of need like pass rush or secondary? The last three signings were receivers. I just feel like we should start focusing on our weaknesses instead of our strengths. What’s your take on it?

The Jaguars indeed on Thursday signed wide receiver Denzel Mims, a second-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft by the New York Jets who was released this week by the Pittsburgh Steelers. My take is that the Jaguars signing Mims is a logical move in late June because it’s a low-risk, high-reward signing. It won’t make or break the season – and if it works, it will be wonderful. My take is also that if the Jaguars believe there is a player available at a price that makes sense to improve any position they will not hesitate to sign that player.

Have you ever witnessed a verbal, near-physical confrontation between media members at a game? Or perhaps a presser? Witnessing the god-like Oehser slap a nagging Titan beat writer is epic dream fodder.

I’ve witnessed many confrontations between media members, though these are usually between media covering the same team rather than between “opposing beats.” This makes sense when you consider that media work closely around each other in varying degrees of competition. I don’t particularly recall any altercation or near-altercation standing out from one another. Just know this: No one – and I mean, no one – altercates with longtime Florida Times-Union sports columnist, Northeast Florida cultural icon and force of nature Eugene P. “Gene” Frenette. Not only does Gene’s easy “chill” demeanor allow him to get along with everybody, his speed and power make him too formidable a foe to challenge physically.

Did Jaxson de Ville steal your girlfriend or something? You seem oddly reluctant to celebrate his recent accomplishment. Gaining entrance into a hall of fame for your prowess at your job is impressive and should be applauded. One, maybe two, fer Jaxson

Jaxson de Ville indeed has been elected to a mascot Hall of Fame. One fer Jaxson. Two fer Jaxson. Hell, twenty or thirty for Jaxson. Awesome is awesome. Who am I to judge?

Bobby from Salt Lake City, UT

I’ve been wondering for a little while now. If we would have re-signed wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who do you think we would have drafted at No. 23 (considering we still made the trade with Minnesota) in the 2024 NFL Draft?

Whichever cornerback they considered the best available.

I love seeing the extension and I think the Jaguars made some good moves this offseason to support him and the rest of the team. It seemed like they took their foot off the gas after the success of the 2022 season and didn’t make as many moves as were necessary to keep building and keep developing the talent they had. I think Trevor will benefit from the supporting cast they added around him, and they far outweigh the players we lost. It’s hard to see a single player acquired in free agency that wasn’t an upgrade or equivalent talent. My question is, do you think the Jaguars are done adding talent? What moves (position or player) do you see happening or do you WANT to see happen?

The Jaguars’ 2023 offseason remains a bit misunderstood. Once they spent a record amount in free agents in 2022, they NEVER were going to be major players in free agency in 2023. The idea was to allow the players selected in the recent few drafts develop, perhaps add a small piece or two, and let the team grow – and to get the salary cap into a better position. General Manager Trent Baalke said as much shortly after the 2022 free-agency period. Remember, too: They made a major move for 2023 when they added wide receiver Calvin Ridley via trade late in the 2022 season. I expect the Jaguars will continue to explore options in terms of personnel this offseason. I would be surprised if they made a major move. Perhaps a pass rusher in training camp or the regular season. Maybe, but just maybe.

Big Jags Fan from Jacksonville

For fans who ask why Trevor would not take a “discount” on his contract like Tom Brady did with the New England Patriots, two comments: 1. Would you? 2. Then-wife Gisele made an estimated $500 million between 2000 and 2020, so they could still afford to buy groceries.

Two responses: I would not. Yes, they could.

Greg from Section 122, Jacksonville

I get the angst over the huge contract for Trevor considering the longer-term fans remember all the stupid contracts given out by this team. From Bortles, Foles, Gabbert, there is a long laundry list of quarterback contracts that just never worked for us. Man, I pray that Trevor lives up to the billing he was drafted under.

There’s angst over Lawrence’s contract for many reasons, the first and most logical reason being that he’s not quite elite yet. There’s some projection involved. That means there’s risk. And although that risk is calculated, and while it’s a perfectly logical risk, it is nonetheless a risk. It’s worth noting that while the Jaguars indeed signed quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Nick Foles to free-agent contracts, Blaine Gabbert never in fact signed a second contract. But whatever … yes, Lawrence living up to his pre-draft billing is essential for the Jaguars’ future. He has progressed toward that. There’s no reason to think he won’t continue to progress toward that. But he must keep progressing toward that.

Richard from St. Augustine, FL

O man, the true king of all that is funky if NFL and NFLPA agree to shorten OTAs, the dead zone will increase to an unbearable level. Jags ranking of fifth on NFLPA Report Card the past two years only has one bad grade. A D in treatment of families, but half the league get a D or F grade in treatment of families. Being the dead zone and dog days, would you enlighten us with how “rat dog” came to be a part of the O fam? Is rat dog a rescue? How’s is “rat dog” faring as old age years add up? DTWD

Rat Dog indeed was a rescue. My wife saw a picture on an animal shelter website and fell in love with her ears. She’s now a little past thirteen and faring great.

All of the pundits including yourself say that Trevor needs to grow. They just paid him “growed up” money. Why?

The Jaguars believe Lawrence is their franchise quarterback. That means they believe he is the guy. If you believe your quarterback is the guy after his third season, you pay him as such that offseason.