Jacksonville Jaguars: Four veteran quarterback options

The Jacksonville Jaguars are in the market for a veteran quarterback. Who will the team try to acquire in free agency or through a trade?

The most interesting trade news involving the Jacksonville Jaguars this weekend has been a story written by Jason La Canfora of CBS  Sports that the team and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco have a “mutual” interest. Flacco, who is now the backup to rookie Lamar Jackson, could seek a trade to another team or become a free agent and test the NFL waters.

The Jaguars look as though they are moving on from the Blake Bortles era of this franchise and need a veteran to build a bridge to a rookie who persumably they will draft in April.

"“The Jacksonville Jaguars have identified Joe Flacco as one of their primary quarterback options for 2019, according to league sources, and have held internal conversations about a possible trade,”  La Canfora said. “Flacco, 33, who will not be back with the Ravens in 2019, is open to the possibility, sources said.”"

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Trading for Flacco isn’t the only option the Jaguars have this offseason. A lot will be determined once the team settles on an offensive coordinator.

Head coach Doug Marrone met with both Darrell Bevell, the former offensive coordinator from Seattle and former Tampa Bay offensive coordinator Todd Monken last week.

Both coaches had the luxury of a mobile quarterback, something Flacco is not.

La Canfora also eludes the the possibility of Ryan Tannehill being a consideration for this franchise next season.

I’ve discussed the option of Flacco playing for the Jaguars with other local sports writers for weeks now. His leadership on the field and with the growth of a stagnant offense just might be what this organization needs to get to the post season in 2019.

La Canfora does make an argument that cannot be ignored in bringing Flacco on board to help the Jaguars make another run toward the Super Bowl, a game the former Delaware star has experienced.

"“The former Super Bowl MVP is set to make $18.5M next season and has no future guarantees or bonus payments remaining on his deal,” he writes. “He fits the model of quarterback that team president Tom Coughlin has won with before, and Flacco is eager for a change of scenery after injuring his hip and losing his job to rookie Lamar Jackson this season.”"

If it is not Flacco, Then the Jaguars will need to find a good fit for what the team wants to do – which is lead with the run and set up the pass. Here are a few other options the Jaguars could look toward in the coming weeks.

Nick Foles – I have already been over the reasons why I would love to see Nick Foles in a Jaguars uniform, but from a financial balance, it may not make sense.

“I’m not worried about the future but I understand where I stand and every time I wear that jersey is special,” Foles said Wednesday via USA Today. “We get one more week together, at least.”

Foles plays his best games in the biggest moments, like I eluded to this weekend. He would have a steady ground game (we hope) in Leonard Fournette for balance. The Jaguars would need to improve their pass catching core.

For anyone watching out there, Golden Tate would look good in a Jaguars uniform next season.

I would love to see Foles as the frontrunner to jump to the Jaguars roster, but costs and draft selection might make that impossible.

Teddy Bridgewater – The Jaguars had a chance to get Teddy Brigewater this past offense from the New York Jets for Dante Fowler. Bridgewater was traded to New Orleans and was the backup for Drew Brees. There are far worse jobs in the NFL.

Bridgewater comes out of the same draft class as Blake Bortles. Injuries have been a concern for the former Louisville star. He has shown he can be effective and still have some mobility and is able to move out of the pocket.

The Jaguars should consider him as a one or two year gap until the team hands the ball over to a rookie. Bridgewater may do just enough to lead the offense back to mediocrity.

Ryan Fitzpatrick – I throw Ryan Fitzpatrick in this fix for varied reasons. But the veteran may be the one player who comes to this team on the cheap and knows he is not the future of this franchise.

It might be the best fit of all.

After playing on a roller coaster of a season in Tampa Bay, would brining him in to serve a the bridge quarterback to this team be so bad? Also, should the Jaguars name Monken as their offensive coordinator, there is already a familiarity between the two.

Last season, while splitting time with Jameis Winston, Fitzpatrick thew for over 2,300 yards and 17 touchdowns. He completed more than 66 percent of his passes. He is as much of a game manager as other higher-priced veterans who could be out on the market.