Why Trevor Lawrence is not the answer for the Jacksonville Jaguars

While many NFL analysts have already determined the Jacksonville Jaguars will hold the first pick in the 2021 Draft, it’s not a done deal. And while we are at it, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence may not be the best fit here.

The Jacksonville Jaguars continue to be part of the national NFL discussion after the NFL. Unfortunately, it is for all the wrong reasons.

The Draft isn’t a month old and writers and “experts” are already speculating that the team will select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Some have gone as far as to write the organization will “tank” the 2020 season in an effort to land the player who appears to be the best prospect coming out of college in 2021. The truth is that Lawrence is not the answer for the Jaguars. The ‘answer’ is Gardner Minshew II, who has been named the team’s starter for 2020.

There is a stark difference between tanking and just being a less-talented team. The matter of the fact is that the Jaguars are a talent deprived team going into the 2020 season. It’s much harder to tank in the NFL than the NBA. It’s quite unheard of actually.

Jacksonville is in the midst of another roster overhaul, moving key pieces like Jalen Ramsey, Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye, Malik Jackson, Marcell Dareus, and Nick Foles. In return, many of those players provided the team with draft capital. This helped provide the team with 12 picks in the 2020 Draft, which was a franchise record.

A young and mostly inexperienced team along with more draft capital in the 2021 NFL Draft, including two first-round picks, the Jacksonville Jaguars should show promise for the future.

This is a rebuild that will take some time, but its progress will be expedited if Minshew shows progress and promise in his second season in the league. His rookie season showed the organization and the fan base glimpses of stardom, and his stats prove it.

In 14 games, Minshew threw for 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. In 12 starts the Jaguars went 6-6 with No. 15 under center. Compare this to Offensive Rookie of the Year winner Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals, who threw for 3,722 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 16 games. Arizona went 5-10-1 with Murray as starting quarterback.

The guy who took this city by storm has an argument that he deserved more love from the voted media last season. Despite the better stats and more wins in fewer games played, many believe Minshew isn’t the answer for the Jaguars, yet there is no doubt about Murray.

The same holds true for other rookie quarterbacks like Daniel Jones of the New York Giants and Drew Lock of the Denver Broncos.

The big task ahead for the Jacksonville Jaguars front office is providing Minshew with legitimate weapons on offense and rebuilding the team’s defense. Drafting another quarterback will set the team back at least a year, which is something the front office and coaching staff may not have under team owner Shad Khan.

Minshew displays a series of traits that separate him from other quarterbacks. He shows great anticipation and accuracy, which can be seen in the numerous back shoulder throws he completed last season. He understands coverages and takes control of the offense in late-game situations. He’s got that ‘it factor’ that distinguishes leaders and makes fellow teammates admire him.

What makes Minshew most special is his escapability as the pocket collapses, continuously evading potential sacks and finding the open target for positive plays in what looked to be a lost down. This also leads to Minshew using his legs to make a difference. Despite only starting 12 games, Minshew ran for the fifth-most yards among quarterbacks in the NFL.

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But that doesn’t mean Minshew is without flaws. It is yet to be seen if he can work the middle of the field, especially without the best arm strength. Fumbles were also a problem, as he lost control of the ball 13 times last season.

This isn’t to say that Lawrence is not a talented player, but drafting any quarterback in the first round brings immense pressure. Instead, Jacksonville could continue to build around Minshew and use its two first-round picks in 2021 to draft talent at positions that will help him going forward.

Of course, this all depends on the growth Minshew displays in his second season. The dreaded ‘sophomore slump’ could force the front office’s hand in moving on from Minshew, but another promising season will likely mean he is the starter going forward.

This offseason the team is handing Minshew the reins, electing to not sign potential backup quarterback options like Jameis Winston, Andy Dalton, or Cam Newton. Jacksonville added Mike Glennon to the quarterback room to compete for a backup role. It looks like the team wants to see what it’s got in Minshew, which is the smart decision.

But Gardner Minshew will need to play this season with some urgency as the current talent pool will not lead to many wins, which presents a tough situation for the young gunslinger.

While fans would want to see Lawrence in the black and teal, they should at least give Minshew an objective look and see what he does this season. And if a change is needed, then maybe the team looks to select a quarterback with their first pick in the NFL Draft.

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