Jaguars’ decision to trade Gardner Minshew was right

The NFL is a cold business and it isn’t always easy to see a team trade your favorite player. Sure, you will continue rooting every Sunday regardless of who takes the field but it doesn’t make it any less unpleasant. Over the last few years, the Jacksonville Jaguars have traded several fan favorites such as cornerback Jalen Ramsey, defensive end Calais Campbell and quarterback Gardner Minshew.

While the Jags have found themselves on the wrong side of most of their trades, moving one from Minshew was the right move, not because of the compensation they got in exchange for him but because Trevor Lawrence is their quarterback of the future. Minshew wouldn’t have been a distraction but was an unnecessary luxury, as the rookie would be the starter and the Jags signed C.J. Beathard during the offseason.

Minshew went on to win his debut as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, completing 75 percent of his passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns. It’s clear he wasn’t the reason why the Jaguars won just one game in 2020. Moreover, he showed what he can do with a solid supporting cast, something he lacked in Jacksonville. Think about it, do you think the 2019 sixth-round pick would perform better than Lawrence if he were with the Jags? That’s unlikely.

The Jaguars are lacking talent at most position groups, and even though Lawrence has played well the offense is devoid of playmakers. Minshew nor most NFL quarterbacks would fare any better than the former Clemson Tiger. That’s why it was great to see him help Philly beat the New York Jets in Week 13. Here’s a clip of how pumped he was after the game.

https://twitter.com/JClarkNBCS/status/1467618405981302803?s=20

Gardner Minshew helped himself with a good performance in Week 13.

Some hardcore fans will stop rooting for players that are no longer with the team and that’s alright. Everyone enjoys the game differently and there’s no right or wrong way to support a team, as long as it’s in a respectful manner. On the other hand, there are those that hope former players do well even if they’re wearing another uniform.

More often than not, players give everything they have and invest so much in the game that it’s only fair fans reciprocate that passion. Sure, players change teams at a high rate due to free agency but that doesn’t mean you can’t wish them well. This is true for Gardner Minshew. There was no longer room for him in Jacksonville but he always gave his 100 percent despite the fact that it wasn’t always enough.

Minshew spent two years with the Jaguars. In that span, they only won six games but he always made it a more bearable experience. Sure, the wins didn’t come but he never put his head down and always kept fighting. Although he will most likely return to the bench when starter Jalen Hurts gets cleared, he’s now in a better position, one where he can reinvent himself and become the quarterback he wanted to be but couldn’t be in Jacksonville.