3 backup QB routes if Jacksonville Jaguars trade Gardner Minshew

The Jacksonville Jaguars could also explore a trade for a backup quarterback.

This isn’t about the Jaguars pulling a blockbuster trade to land someone like Deshaun Watson or Russell Wilson. Instead, Jacksonville could explore a trade in case they send Gardner Minshew packing. It would be odd to trade one quarterback and later trade for another but anything can happen in the NFL.

This isn’t the most common path to acquiring a quarterback, but it has happened. In 2018, the New York Jets traded Teddy Bridgewater, whom they had just signed, and a sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints for a third-round selection. The year before, the New England Patriots sent Jacoby Brissett to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for wide receiver Phillip Dorsett, who coincidentally signed with the Jaguars this offseason.

Even though Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton signed with the Football Team and Bears, respectively, the Jags could pursue them via trade. Then, there’s Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Marcus Mariota, who may be on the trade block.

The Raiders will likely move on from Mariota, per Ian Rapoport. Although releasing him is a possibility, they have been able to trade players they originally planned to release such as guard Gabe Jackson and center Rodney Hudson and they have previously entertained calls about trading the 2015 second overall pick. If the Jaguars want to move on from Minshew, Mariota could be the best quarterback they could get via trade.