Could former Jags QB Gardner Minshew finally get his shot vs Raiders in Week 7?

Third-year quarterback Gardner Minshew has been waiting for an opportunity to show he can be an effective starter in the NFL. Will he get his chance when the Philadelphia Eagles take on the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7? He might if Philly falls behind early.

The Eagles are currently 2-4 and Jalen Hurts is their starting quarterback. The 2020 second-round pick has been pretty solid this season, completing 130 of 208 passes for 1,480 yards with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. On top of that, he’s run the ball 53 times for 300 yards and five rushing touchdowns.

On the other hand, Hurts doesn’t always wait for his routes to develop and uses his legs more than he should. Having said that, he isn’t the reason why the team known as the Birds currently has a losing record. However, head coach Nick Sirianni might consider pulling the second-year quarterback from the game if he underperforms. He could then insert Minshew into the game in order to give the offense a spark.

The Raiders’ defense is middle-of-the-pack but has shown a penchant for coming up with key stops at the right time while their offense can put points on the scoreboard with relative ease. Thus, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them build an early lead and force the Eagles to attempt something different, e.g. letting Minshew play.

Gardner Minshew should get a shot to play in Week 7 but might not.

Minshew has been waiting for another chance to prove his worth after being benched last season. He competed with Trevor Lawrence for the starting job in Jacksonville but lost the battle and was ultimately traded to Philadelphia.

It’s uncertain if Sirianni is sold on Hurts. Having a great performance against the Raiders could help dispel doubts and solidify his case as the starting quarterback for the Eagles. But if he struggles, Minshew could finally get his shot. It’s not a given that he would thrive but he would at least get the opportunity to play, which is what he wants.

Minshew was one of the most pleasant surprises in the 2019 season, helping the Jaguars win six games. At the time, it looked like he could become the quarterback the Jags had been searching for but. Alas, he came down crashing down the following year and eventually was benched. Once the Jags drafted Lawrence with the top pick in the 2021 draft, it was clear Minshew’s days in Duval were numbered.

It’s possible that Gardner Minshew is frustrated with his lack of playing time. But there’s not much he can do but wait. Who knows? Maybe his patient will pay off in Week 7 and he will get his shot against the Raiders. If he does, it will be up to him to make the most of it.