Gardner Minshew looks better in Jaguars loss to the Eagles

Despite the loss, the Jaguars coaching staff liked when they saw from quarterback Gardner Minshew.

There is no debate about which quarterback will back up Jacksonville Jaguars starter Nick Foles this season.

Gardner Minshew solidified his case as a team second-string signal collar with an impressive evening against the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.

End of story.

As a team moves forward toward week three and a date with the Miami Dolphins, men shoe has taken a beating behind a makeshift offensive line and has continued to progress as a quarterback in the NFL and a leader on the field. Alex McGough may have led Jacksonville to its only touchdown on the night, in a 24-10 loss at home, but it’s more than obvious the Jaguars coaching staff wants the rookie to learn and develop as the second-stringer.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars in position to let RT Jawaan Taylor hit free agency in 2023
• Jaguars GM Trent Baalke hopes HC Doug Pederson has trust in him
• Report: Jacksonville Jaguars ready to use franchise tag to keep Evan Engram if needed
• Antonio Johnson a trendy pick for Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 24 in 2023 NFL Draft
• Jacksonville Jaguars have a rat problem, get poor marks in NFLPA team report card

While sitting in the press box on Thursday night, I had a conversation with a Philadelphia sportswriter who asked the question, “What would happen if Minshew played behind the Jaguars first-team offensive line if everyone was healthy?”

The rookie from Washington State was more accurate, more confidence, and showed the ability to make plays while avoiding a stiff pass rush. While it’s an education of trial by fire, Minshew got high marks for putting the Jaguars in better field position than they were last week in Baltimore.

Head coach Doug Marrone agreed Minshew looked calmer and more relaxed in the pocket this week.

"“He looked that way. Last week he took that big hit, and that’s the one thing that you kind of look for when you’re a coach. When those guys come over to the sideline there is just sometimes a look that they have that you’re like, ‘This is not good.’ They’re rattled. They don’t know what happened, meaning like, it wasn’t their fault, but they still can’t figure it out,” Marrone said in his press conference after the game.“Then all of a sudden they get hit. It’s a scary feeling, and a lot of players it takes them, it will vary, but it will be different on how long before they come back. I think we all sit here and not having played a lot recently if that happened to any one of us, it takes a while to get that confidence back when you’re out there.”"

Minshew was 19 of 29 for 202 yards. He did not have an interception and he did not throw for a touchdown. He did suffer three sacks due in part to the lack of cohesion on the offensive line.

One thing the Jaguars did lack the entire evening was an established running game. With Leonard Fournette held out, the Jaguars gained 59 yards on 21 carries. Marrone acknowledged the team must do a better job of running the ball and controlling the clock.

As Marrone explained everything that didn’t happen with running the football could be attributed to the lack of offensive line continuity throughout the game.

"“From the offensive line, we didn’t really ever establish the running game. I thought that early on I think when any action that was going into the line I thought the backers were filling really quick, really fast,” he said. “I know they had a couple of their starters in. Sometimes the protection was good. I think the thing I was most disappointed, I’d want more push inside.”"

The Jaguars should have a majority of their starters in the game in the first half at Miami next week. Minshew figures to get more work next week but probably won’t start. Foles should see his first action of the preseason against the Dolphins.