Did Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew overperform in 2020?

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew was one of the players in the NFL in 2019 who did more than what was expected of him.

I don’t know how you can look at Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew and say the second-year player overproduced in his first season with the team. But if you are Gil Brandt and you make that kind of statement in your latest story on NFL.com, then fans probably need a bit of context behind that kind of statement.

Minshew was one of five NFL players the analyst singled out as overproducing during the 2019 season. I’m not sure if that is the same thing as overachieving, but considering Minshew wasn’t supposed to be the one under center for the Jaguars last season and was called to action only 11 plays into the team’s journey, there is some validity to the position Brandt has on the subject.

"“Thrown into the fire when Nick Foles went down with a broken collarbone in the first quarter of the 2019 season-opener, Minshew put forth an effort that would have been considered more than solid for any rookie quarterback, let alone one drafted in the sixth round, as Minshew was last year,” Brandt writes.More from Black and TealJacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdomJaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect nowBold trade proposal has Jacksonville Jaguars shipping LT Cam RobinsonJaguars News: This division rival might be making a big moveFormer Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”“He went 6-6 as a starter, with 21 touchdown passes against six interceptions, while building a strong rapport with young receiver D.J. Chark (1,008 receiving yards, eight touchdowns).”"

The Jaguars coaching staff had better hope both Minshew and Chark can progress even more this season into one of the better young combinations in the NFL. And for those who continue to doubt the ability of Minshew in his second season, the work he has put in this offseason, as seen on videos that have circulated do show he is thicker and looks faster than last season. He also appears to have a quicker release.

Those who have thrown up red flags on Gardner Minshew’s second season here in Jacksonville has questioned whether he will be able to work the same kind of magic in 2020 knowing teams now have seen his ability and can properly scheme for it.

The other side to that debate is as the new offense that Jay Gruden will bring to the Jacksonville Jaguars will give the quarterback more opportunity to throw downfield and work within the red zone.

"“Minshew apparently did enough to earn a chance this season to cement himself as the team’s long-term starter, given that the Jags did not draft or sign a serious competitor for quarterback snaps,” Brandt added. “The hiring of former Washington head coach Jay Gruden as Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator will only help Minshew’s cause — I think this player is going to be pretty good, when it’s all said and done.”"

Brandt has been around a while and has probably forgotten about more football than many of us have known. Also, given that the Jacksonville Jaguars did make more adjustments this offseason to the offense – adding more size at wide receiver in rookie Laviska Shenault and Collin Johnson and adding tight end Tyler Eifert, there is plenty of reason for hope this season.

Brandt might be right that Gardner Minshew overproduced in a season he never was expected to be a part of in the first place. But he could also be right on the money that the gunslinger is the right player to help the Jaguars achieve more than what is expected of them in 2020.