Gardner Minshew will decide the Jaguars future at quarterback

Ultimately, Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew will decide the fate of the team’s future at the position.

Something was said during a local sports talk radio show on Wednesday that caught my attention about Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew.

To paraphrase, the comment was made that the coaching staff and front office are hoping that Minshew will take the next step in his maturation as an NFL starting quarterback. The moves the team made this offseason to add depth at the skill positions were done to give Minshew an opportunity to become a franchise signal-caller.

In reality, Minshew is still a bit of a mystery. He had good games last season and willed this team to six wins. And there were games that were clusters of problems that first-year players make. The belief is he will take a big step forward this season and hopefully end the constant script that the Jacksonville Jaguars will look to replace him next season in the NFL Draft.

Ironically, Dan Schmelzer of NFL Mocks wrote a story about teams that were the most quarterback-needy heading into the 2021 NFL Draft. And yes, the Jaguars were one of those teams he discussed.

"“Minshew Mania is back in full force in Duval this season. After trading Nick Foles over the offseason, the Jacksonville Jaguars are moving forward with Gardner Minshew as their franchise quarterback, at least for the 2020 season,” he wrote."

Given the Jacksonville Jaguars have both Mike Glennon and Joshua Dobbs on the depth chart and rookie Jake Luton who will more than like find his way to the practice squad, this could be an area of concern should Gardner Minshew go down with an injury or stumble out of the gate in 2020.

Minshew looks the part and says all the right things and has fans here in Jacksonville falling at his feet. It’s a perfect fit for the player and city that has come to embrace this athlete as “their guy.”

"“Minshew showed impressive playmaking ability last season and certainly has a chance to grow into a stable presence at the position,” Schmelzer added. “That being said, his overall upside at the quarterback position is relatively limited.”"

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The jury is also still out on the Jaguars and how they will perform in 2020. There are have been plenty of changes to the roster on both sides of the football. The team looks to be faster and better at the skill positions to start. The offensive line must gel more and play more consistently over 16 games.

For Gardner Minshew to be successful this season, he needs to have the players around him improve. He must also help make them better during game situations.

What Minshew does on the field this season ultimately decides what direction the Jaguars front office moves in the 2021 Draft. If he fails, then a top-tier quarterback is certainly a consideration. If he finds the success the organization hopes for, then management looks toward another area of concern.

"“The Jaguars are unlikely to be a good team in 2020 and will probably have a high pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. If they find themselves in a position to snag one of the top-tier quarterbacks, they simply will not be able to pass up the opportunity,” Schmelzer wrote.“The Jaguars are undoubtedly a team that will be watching these quarterback prospects closely.”"