Jaguars: Signing Cam Newton hurts Gardner Minshew’s growth at QB

If the Jaguars were to bring in former Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, they would be undermining the development of Gardner Minshew.

Usually, my FanSided.com colleague Russell Baxter and I agree on a great many things when it comes to football and the Jacksonville Jaguars.

This time, we may need to agree to disagree. I see no reason in the team signing quarterback Cam Newton to a deal in free agency. Any chance of that happening would send a clear message to Gardner Minshew that this team may have traded away Nick Foles, but it does not mean it has total faith in the second-year player.

The Jaguars are in a bit of a quandary. With the decision to send Foles to Chicago – which I believe was the right move – they still have to find a capable backup. Josh Dobbs is the only other signal-caller on the roster. The team could do what it did last season and roll with the two two young passers, or make other arrangements via free agency, a trade or the NFL Draft.

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Baxter believes Newton should be in play in DUUUVAL.

"“So last offseason, general manager David Caldwell and the organization added free-agent signal-caller Nick Foles, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a win over the aforementioned Pats in Super Bowl LII in ’17,” Baxter writes.“But he suffered a shoulder injury in Week 1 and while he eventually returned, the Jaguars opted to part ways earlier this month by dealing him to the Chicago Bears. So 2019 sixth-round Gardner Minshew is the starter for now, with former Steelers’ quarterback Josh Dobbs in reserve. Would Caldwell and Marrone be interested in kicking the tires on Cam Newton?”"

It’s a hot button topic that has already been discussed amongst Jaguars fans on social media. But if Newton is brought in, it’s to compete for the starting job – not fill a backup role. The same could be said about Andy Dalton even Jameis Winston.

And for a team that wrapped itself up in the thrill of “Minshew Mania” last season, the front office would all but burst the bubble of excitement this fan base is feeling right now.

If the Jaguars are to add another quarterback this offseason, it should be a low-risk player (I still think there is a chance it could be Blake Bortles). The NFL Draft could have a few players worth looking at in the fourth-round.

Jacksonville made a decision to move forward with Minshew over Foles. Adding another high-profile arm to the quarterback room only complicates the situation.