Jaguars to start Nick Foles: Was it the right decision?

By David Levin | Nov 6, 2019

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - AUGUST 08: Nick Foles #7 of the Jacksonville Jaguars looks at a tablet on the sidelines during the second half of a preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on August 08, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

After naming Nick Foles as the starting quarterback for the game against Indianapolis in two weeks, did the Jaguars make the right call?

No matter what fans and the local and national media think following the news that Nick Foles will start Week 11 for the Jacksonville Jaguars, division about the decision was bound to happen.

The Jaguars started the season with Foles, the anthesis of Blake Bortles in an offense that was supposed to look better through the air and on the ground but lost him to injury only 10 plays into the season with a broken clavicle. In comes rookie Gardner Minshew who took the team, the league and the city by storm.

If you ask me, it’s the best thing to happen to the Jaguars in years. The organization has two quarterbacks who can start and succeed.

Dan Schmelzer of NFL Mocks wrote he thought the Jaguars should have stuck with Minshew, that giving the rookie from Washington State more time under center would make him a better quarterback and could mean the Jaguars shop Foles in the offseason.

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"“If Minshew struggles the rest of the way, then you move forward next season with Foles as your starter and Minshew as the backup. Nothing has changed,” Schmelzer"

As we know, the decision that came from head coach Doug Marrone was based on the notion he believes the veteran gives this team the best chance to win and reach the postseason. In reality, that is all that matters.

The staff here at Black and Teal has their own opinions on the Foles decision. Here is what they had to say.

Jennifer Shatzer – My head knows that this is the right decision if we are going to have any chance of the Jaguars getting to the playoffs this year. Nick Foles is well known for his ability to finish out a season and take his team to the next level, the playoffs and beyond. That was one of the reasons that we went after him.

My heart breaks for Gardner Minshew who has brought so much to this franchise in the first half of the season. All of the Garder days at local schools and Halloween showed the impact he had on our young fans. I understand that Doug Marrone had to make this decision, and it had to be tough.

I stand behind the coach on this one. Unfortunately.

Lorenzino Estrada – I agree that Nick Foles should take the starting quarterback job over Gardner Minshew. Minshew did what he had to for the Jaguars with a 4-4 record. But, Foles’ experience and skill set are best suited for a playoff run.

But Minshew is the future in Jacksonville, just not right now.

Jesse Overby – When Jaguars starting quarterback Nick Foles got injured early in the first game of the season, I wrote that if he is who the Jaguars thought he was, then he must be the starting quarterback when he’s healthy.

And the Jaguars thought that Foles was the missing piece for the team; the franchise-caliber quarterback who could put a team on his back and carry them into the playoffs. Foles is easily the Jaguars’ best option at quarterback.

Kathy Clark – Nick Foles was hired to be our quarterback and deserves his opportunity. Gardner Minshew II played decently and this opinion has nothing to do with his play. That being said if Foles plays poorly I would have no problem going back to Minshew this season.

David Levin – Wow, a quarterback controversy in Jacksonville that meant something. I believe a starter should not lose his position due to injury. Foles is a solid veteran. Minshew is the team’s future. Many questions were answered over the last two months about what happens in Jacksonville’s future.

Minshew made football fun again. And while this football team dealt with other distractions, they still played a solid level of football. Now, let’s see if Foles can do what he has done in November and December and bring winning football back to this organization.

Anthony Robertson – I think it was a smart decision to go with Foles. He is a veteran and the Jaguars have a better chance of making the playoffs with him under center. Minshew is great and has shown that he could be the quarterback of the future but some time to learn behind Foles should help his career and help with his development.

If Foles plays well then we landed a big free-agent signing. If he performs poorly than we still have Minshew who has already shown he can replace him.

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