The Jacksonville Jaguars are hoping to do a massive renovation of their home stadium, TIAA Bank Field. Standing in their way is a negotiation with the City of Jacksonville for a deal on the construction project that is expected to land in the $600 million to $1 billion range.
Fortunately for the Jaguars, they have Trevor Lawrence.
According to Jaguars team president Mark Lamping, having the 23-year-old Pro Bowl quarterback and a recent playoff victory under their belt should help grease the wheels during renovation negotiations.
“We didn’t plan for the stadium when it was originally opened almost 30 years ago to reach the end of its economic life after a fascinating run in the playoffs with a young quarterback leading it,” Lamping told Jeff Howe of The Athletic. “The reality is when the local NFL team is winning, everybody has a little broader smile on their face, maybe a little more pep in their step, and they sometimes feel like it’s an easier decision to support advancing a major project.”
The Jaguars’ lease of the stadium with the City of Jacksonville runs through the 2029 season. That leaves a decent amount of time for the Jaguars to secure a deal on the renovation project, especially after the University of Florida and University of Georgia committed to playing at TIAA Bank Field in 2024 and 2025 — seemingly guaranteeing that no construction will happen until at least 2026.
Lawrence won’t be going anywhere anytime soon and, barring a sudden collapse, the Jaguars are set to be a contender for a while. If that helps a stadium renovation get done, that’s good news for all parties.
