Jacksonville Jaguars ready for preseason, Day 13 notes

Gardner Minshew will be valuable for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2021.

Gardner Minshew isn’t competing for a roster spot nor a starting job. But he will benefit from getting as many reps as possible in the Jaguars’ first preseason game. Even though the 2019 sixth-round selection will be the backup to Trevor Lawrence, he’s still preparing as if he were the top quarterback on the depth chart. Who can blame him? He’s wired like that.

Head coach Urban Meyer has spoken positively of Minshew ever since he arrived in Jacksonville and it doesn’t seem like things have changed. Meyer complimented the third-year quarterback after Thursday’s practice.

"He has earned my respect, I love that guy. He’s a warrior, a competitor, he’s a fighter. I told him that. I just have great respect for Minshew. He brings it every day."

Before the draft, other clubs inquired about Minshew’s availability but Meyer said that the Jags weren’t interested in trading him at the time. Looking back, holding onto the former Cougar was the right decision. While injuries are an inherent part of football and nobody can control them, teams can certainly prepare for them.

Nobody wants to see Lawrence get hurt but if for some reason he can’t, Minshew gives the Jaguars a solid alternative at quarterback. Just like his rookie counterpart, he’s made the most of his training camp opportunities and has shown improvement since last year. If the Washington product continues working hard, it will be a matter of time before he gets another shot at a starting job. It may or may not come in Jacksonville but he will be ready nonetheless.