Jaguars: Nick Foles returned to practice this week

What will the Jacksonville Jaguars do when Nick Foles is cleared to step on the field and play football again? Will there be controversy in the decision?

When the Jacksonville Jaguars signed Nick Foles this season we as fans were excited. We needed a quarterback solution and it looked like we finally had the right one.

We saw a lot of rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew throughout the preseason, but we were waiting with bated breath for Foles to make his Jaguars debut on the field. He did play a few series in the third game of the preseason against Miami.

Week 1 of the regular season, 10 minutes into the game the answer to our prayers took a hit and ended up with a broken clavicle and was put on IR.

We can all agree that “Minshew Mania” has given life back to this team and really helped us get through the trade demand saga with Jalen Ramsey. The mania has also helped to ease the loss of Foles due to injury. but now those things are behind us. Foles was at practice on Wednesday, which now begs the question of who will be our starting quarterback.

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Coach Doug Marrone in his interview before practice on Wednesday was pretty elusive as to what expectations he has of Foles. There is a 21-day window that players have when they come back to practice and when they can be back on the field.

Feasibly, Foles could play in the game against the Indianapolis Colts on November 17th, but Marrone repeatedly stated we will have to see. The Jaguars have a bye week after the game in London, which gives him more time to rest and get ready for the rest of the season.

There has been a lot of debate this week as Foles has been throwing footballs in practice about who will start in that game. Minshew has amazing charisma and potential. He is coachable, teachable and stepped into a role making a huge impact as a rookie. Is he phenomenal? Yes. He has swagger, jorts, and a headband and yes, we love him. Foles is a Superbowl MVP with experience and leadership skills that this team has needed for a long time.

The Jaguars have three options here. First, Minshew remains the starter, playing as long as he continues to play at a high level. Second, Foles steps back in given he signed a four-year, $88 million deal this offseason. Hopefully, he takes the Jaguars to the playoffs (and hopefully beyond). The third option is to rotate between the two as play-calling would dictate.

I don’t think Foles should lose his starting position due to an injury. I love what he brings to this team. With as many starting rookies and young players as we have this season, he has experience and an essence about him the Jaguars need.

While this is a great team, the Jaguars need some more experienced players to teach some of these younger guys how to play in the NFL. I also believe that Foles could help manage some of the unnecessary penalties, and help teach our players to be more disciplined. I truly hope happens.

I love the Minshew Mania and how it has taken over here in Jacksonville. When is the last time the Jaguars had a player that got so many fans excited about the game and the team? We can’t lose that either. Foles signed a four-year contract, he will be 33 years old at the end of that deal, some quarterbacks play forever. Will he do the same?

Minshew looks up to Foles as a mentor and a teacher, as he has stated in interviews each week. The best-case scenario for the players is Foles continues to take Minshew under his wing and the rookie learns all that he can to be a better player. When signing Foles we knew he was an interim quarterback. We took a chance with a sixth-round pick with Minshew and he has played very well.

The best-case scenario for the Jaguars is that we keep both quarterbacks, which gives us two good players. We have never had that in franchise history. Having both gives us more opportunities for better play calling. We can keep opposing defenses guessing what comes next. That is new for the team as well. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo has options with two trusted quarterbacks that can run some amazing plays on the field.

If DeFilippo can use that as a tool, then I am all in.