Jaguars need Gardner Minshew to take the next step in 2020
By David Levin
Will Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew take another step towards becoming the franchise leader the team needs in 2020?
Can Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew become the next Patrick Mahomes, leading this organization to the Super Bowl and taking the next step toward becoming an elite quarterback?
Hopefully, the organization feels that way.
Right now, the world is Mahomes’ oyster. After winning the Super Bowl and being named the MVP, the 24-year-old quarterback is at the top of the seating chart of signal callers in the NFL and the future is as bright as the Florida skyline.
The 23-year-old Minshew is out to prove he is the man to take this franchise to the next level and earn a playoff berth in 2020. There will be some obstacles next season the gunslinger and his teammates will need to jump over for that to happen.
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The front office must do its part to address major needs on both sides of the ball. NFL free agency and the Draft could make the move out of the AFC South basement a bit smoother.
"“I got two and a half months right now to work my tail off to be as ready as I can be for my team,” Minshew said on PFT Live in Miami during Super Bowl week.“We’ll show back up and I’m gonna try to prove I’m the best guy for my team and that I can help us win games. Anything beyond that is beyond my control.”"
It’s the confidence in Minshew’s tone that makes you believe the former sixth-round draft pick out of Washington State is going to follow through with his statements. It’s his ability to correct his mistakes and move forward that should have the Jaguars front office believing this could be the season Minshew takes another step forward toward becoming a true franchise quarterback.
First, he must earn the starting job in camp by beating out veteran Nick Foles, who returns this coming season after injuries and inconsistent play ruined what was supposed to be a victorious season in Jacksonville.
It wasn’t Foles’ injury that was the main reason for the collapse in Jacksonville. An unproductive offense and fractured defense played major roles in the failure to produce more than six wins last season.
A fresh start for Minshew and his teammates could lead to greater things in North Florida.
The Jaguars front office has not tipped its hat as to which player it may be leaning towards for the upcoming season. Minshew won all six games for the Jaguars in 2019. Foles comes back fully healed from a broken clavicle. It should make for a good battle in camp.
It should also offer an opportunity for Minshew to prove how good he can be with another season in the league under his belt.