Parker Washington didn't get new deal, but did start fast for Jaguars

See Parker easily beat former teammate Tyson Campbell for an 11-yard gain on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ first completion of the year.

Cha-ching!

See Parker run right by Myles Harden and make a diving 30-yard touchdown catch for the Jaguars’ first touchdown of the year.

Cha-ching!

See Parker find an open pocket in zone coverage for a 22-yard catch to convert a second-and-18.

Cha-ching!

Hours after it became official he would not be getting a contract extension, the kind of contract extension that would be an article of faith in his ability, the kind of contract extension that would produce life-changing financial security, Parker Washington kept his main thing as the main thing.

He made plays that were equal parts dynamic and workmanlike.

He was quarterback

Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target.

And he led the Jaguars in catches (five) and receiving yards (83).

MORE FROM RYAN O'HALLORAN: Jaguars waste little time making we're-here-to-stay statement

Who really knows if Washington’s price really went up — the Jaguars appear dug in with their price point and aren’t going to be deterred by his production in the 34-10 win over the Browns on Sept. 13. But if they wanted to see how Washington would debut after a sensational half-season to finish 2025, they got their answer.

Washington’s price didn’t go down. That we know. If anything, his play told the Jaguars, “I’m not asking for more money, just the money we have already asked for.”

“No (statement made),” he said. “I was just having fun. I just wanted to bring the energy.”

Washington did both in his 41 offensive snaps of work.

Trevor Lawrence impressed by Parker Washington's approach

Following his group interview, I caught up with Washington by his locker. We have had a few conversations since the start of organized team activities in late May about the present (how are talks going?) and the future (will a deal get done?). Each time, he has been adamant that conversations were ongoing and not the least bit contentious and how he wanted to be a long-term Jaguars player.

As Washington was attending team meetings and visiting TikTok on Sept. 12, national reporters took to various platforms to breathlessly reveal Washington and the Jaguars would not come to an agreement before kickoff. The $25 million average for Arizona Cardinals receiver Michael Wilson, one league source told, should be Washington’s new asking price floor.

The Jaguars haven’t revealed what their current best offer is, of course, which leads to speculation.

Did Washington hear or see the no-deal-is-imminent chatter?

“I saw a little bit,” he told me. “But I tried to stay focused on the game and being the best player I can be for this team and what I think makes me special is I’m able to do that.”

Two things can true at the same time: Washington can digest every little bit of publicly-known information, conclude it as rubbish or true … and also have his mind ready for the game. It’s called compartmentalization for a reason — you put one topic (contract) in Compartment A and the other topic (playing well) in Compartment B and function like a mature adult.

The Jaguars (likely) want to see more. That’s their prerogative, agree or disagree with it.

Washington (likely) feels he is worth a deal matching the one Wilson got in Arizona. That’s his objective, agree or disagree with it.

The one way the sides could have forged an agreement last weekend was if Washington got antsy and instructed his agent — who works for the player, not the other way around — to lower the asking price and get a deal done so he could start the Browns game with complete peace of mind.

But as Washington showed, even without the contract extension, he played freely and peacefully.

“You wouldn’t even know that’s going on with him (by) just the way he carries himself,” Lawrence said. “He’s been the same guy. Comes to work every day. Does everything the right way. Just really impressed with how he’s handled it, but not surprised.”

 ’He’s a stud’

The Jaguars started the game with four consecutive run plays before Lawrence threw an in-breaking route to Washington for 11 yards.

Three plays later, Washington lined up at the right slot on third-and-7. At the snap, he got a free release (no contact) inside because Harden was playing outside leverage. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger, assigned to track running back LeQuint Allen Jr., slightly got in Harden’s way. Bad move. When Washington shifted his route to the corner, Harden trailed him by 5 yards.

“My main thing was running with speed and getting to the spot for Trevor,” Washington told me.

Said coach Liam Coen: “He ended up being pretty open.”

Lawrence lofted a pass that Washington caught as he was diving and he maintained possession as he landed in the end zone.

It was the longest touchdown catch of Washington’s career by a whopping 7 yards.

Lawrence didn’t see the acrobatic nature of the play until after the game.

“Pretty sweet catch,” he said. “That’s up there (among the best he’s seen from Washington).”

On the Jaguars’ second possession, Washington caught the 22-yard pass; three plays later, it was 14-0 and the rout was on.

Entering the Denver-Kansas City game on Sept. 14, the Jaguars’ 24-point margin of victory was the largest in Week 1. Additionally, the Jaguars have won only 28 games in their history by more than 24 points. Heady stuff for the franchise out of the gate and heady stuff for Washington to continue making non-verbal statements about his financial future.

“He’s a worker and he’s a stud,” Lawrence said.

Said receiver Jakobi Meyers: “Everything Parker does is cool at this point. The way he walks, way he talks, way he shows up.”

Expect Washington’s Cool Factor to continue.

Contact O’Halloran at [e-mail] or on X at @ryanohalloran. Listen to Ryan on 1010AM on Tuesdays (6:35 p.m. on “Into The Night"), Thursdays (1:15 on "XL Primetime") and Fridays ("First Coast Football Friday" 4-7 p.m.).

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Parker Washington didn't get new deal, but did start fast for Jaguars