Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew makes PFN’s top 25 ranking

The Jacksonville Jaguars have had plenty of quarterbacks in the team’s relatively short history. However, none of them have entered the NFL with as much promise as Trevor Lawrence, the first overall selection in 2021’s draft. The Clemson standout should lead the team for the foreseeable future but before him, there was Gardner Minshew. A sixth-round pick in 2019, the Washington State product had a surprisingly solid rookie campaign before he came crashing down in 2020. Nevertheless, he made Pro Football Network’s list of the top 25 quarterbacks in 2021.

Shane G. Tyler of PFN ranked Minshew as the 23rd best signal-caller this year. He points out that the former Cougar started 20 games in the NFL and highlights his 37:11 touchdown-to-interception ratio over his two-year career. Tyler says that other teams might inquire about Minshew (again) if Lawrence becomes the player he is expected to be.

Tyler ranked Minshew ahead of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Carson Wentz and below Jimmy Garappolo of the San Francisco 49ers. This may be a high spot for Minshew but the truth is that he was a solid quarterback, but not good enough to be the long-term solution in Duval.

Gardner Minshew may have already played his last down with the Jaguars.

Minshew was given a chance to prove he could be the Jaguars’ franchise quarterback last season. Nevertheless, he looked underwhelming and wasn’t able to recapture the magic of his rookie year. Although he wasn’t the team’s main problem, he wasn’t able to provide stability at the quarterback position.

Before the draft, teams called the Jags to ask about Minshew’s availability. Head coach Urban Meyer said the organization was happy with the third-year quarterback and added that they weren’t fielding any offers. That was before this year’s selection meeting and there is a chance teams will call again. If they sweeten the pot, Jacksonville may be tempted to move Minshew.

After all, the Jaguars signed C.J. Beathard this offseason and sophomore Jake Luton is still on the roster, so the cupboard won’t be bare. The Jaguars could move Minshew and still have a solid quarterback room. Minshew provided a spark for the Jaguars back in 2019. He could do the same for another team in 2021.