Gardner Minshew has already become the leader of the Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew continues to mature as the unquestioned leader of the team both on and off the field.

The biggest storyline for the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team moves toward training camp and then the preseason is how quarterback Gardner Minshew will perform knowing he is the starter from Day 1 and the leap from Year 1 to Year 2 in the NFL is usually the most important for a young quarterback.

If yesterday’s Zoom conference with the media was an indication of how Gardner Minshew, who is still dealing with doubters about his ability to become an elite performer on this level, handles the 2020 season, let’s just say he has already aced the course in how to work with the media.

There is nothing Minshew did on Thursday that would make you think he is concerned about a lapse in time on the field or if he is worried about learning a new offense under coordinator Jay Gruden. When you did see and hear was the same kind of confidence that he exuded when he first walked into the building at TIAA Bank Field. That should carry over and win over some of those critics as the season progresses.

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If anything, from what local media members saw, it just means the man who was taken in the sixth round of last year’s Draft and has become the talk of Jacksonville is ready to prove he can lead this roster to a winning season. And if you don’t believe that, just ask him. The confidence is enough to change even the most hardened objectors.

"“Since the day after the Super Bowl, I’ve been going six days a week for the last, however many months it’s been,” Minshew said. “It’s been a lot of fun seeing growth in yourself and your game. I’ve been talking to the receivers, and everybody. We’re working on being back in Jacksonville soon, we’ll be able to get some field work there.“We’ve been doing some players only walk throughs virtually that have been helping guys learn and also just getting us together. Then, moving forward we’re also going to try and get together a little bit more before camp to kind of get what reps we can, while being safe and smart.”"

The one thing Minshew reiterated in the meeting was the team as a whole has a lot of work to do. While so much has been written about how Minshew’s progress will be a determining factor in the franchise’s future, he is not the only one who must get after it in 2020.

This is a “team effort”, one of which will decide the future of players and coaches and possibly front office personnel. There is plenty riding on the 2021 season, which shouldn’t even be a consideration right now.

But in reality, it is.

Minshew has been working on getting in shape, working on his timing in the pocket, and of course talking to teammates, some new, about what everyone wants to accomplish this season. That’s called being a leader.

"“Yeah, I think we are definitely getting there,” he said. “Through what we did last year, and it’s a little different this year with how we aren’t in person, but just trying to grow and develop those relationships from distance right now. Hopefully, we will get back together soon.”"

The Jacksonville Jaguars players and coaching staff must still stay away from the stadium as do the other 31 NFL teams. When they do return, hopefully, the installation of the offense and the defense will become second nature to players. The mechanics will take time, but the knowledge should be engrained.

Gardner Minshew looks forward to getting back on the field and playing football. He did say he has had no issues with the quarantine, which has allowed him to remain focused on playing for the Jaguars.

"“It’s been great. Honestly, just being able to stick to the schedule I feel like we’ve been able to refine a routine to where we’re getting really efficient work right now,” he added.“I think it’s exciting when you start seeing results and you see yourself getting better. So, as awful as this whole thing has been, it’s been an opportunity to really focus on getting yourself better.”"