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Emergency QB rule will have no bearing on Jaguars' roster construction

• The emergency QB rule won't affect how the Jaguars build their roster in 2024.

By Carlos Sanchez

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on as quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes next to quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during a combined NFL football training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks on as quarterback Mac Jones (10) passes next to quarterback C.J. Beathard (3) during a combined NFL football training camp session between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 at EverBank Stadium’s Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla. / Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK
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The Jacksonville Jaguars have carried two quarterbacks the past two years and it's fair to assume that they'll keep as many on the roster in 2024. With Trevor Lawrence entrenched as the starter and Mac Jones sitting behind him, they have no need to hold onto a third signal-caller. That's why the new rule won't affect them when they build their roster for next season.

Ahead of cutdown day, the NFL announced that they're reverting back to their previous emergency quarterback rules. In 2023, clubs could promote a third signal-caller from the practice squad on game day and it wouldn't count toward their 53-man roster. They will no longer be able to do that.

Now, teams will need to carry their third quarterback on the roster if they want him to be on the sidelines come Game Day.

Last year, Trevor Lawrence dealt with injuries late in the season. That prompted the team to sign E.J. Perry and later Matt Barkley to the active roster. The latter ended up appearing on six snaps but didn't attempt a pass in Week 17. Lawrence missed that game with a concussion and C.J. Beathard got the starting nod. He briefly left the bout with opened the door for Barkley to take the field.

As of this writing, Lawrence, Jones, Beathard, and Perry, who signed with Jacksonville before the Week 3 preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons are on the roster.

Beathard suffered a groin injury in Week 2 of the preseason. The Jags haven't provided an update on the extent of it but there's a chance he could land on the Injured Reserve list. But even if he had been healthy, Jones had outplayed him in the offseason, so the former Iowa Hawkeye would've likely ended up in the practice squad.

If Jacksonville does place Beathard on IR, Perry will probably take his spot in the practice squad.

The Jaguars will keep Mac Jones and Trevor Lawrence on the roster

The Jacksonville Jaguars attested last year that teams are a couple of injuries away from having to lean on their third-string quarterback. That said, devoting one extra spot to a player who may or may not suit up in the season doesn't make much sense.

You'll often hear head coaches say that they'd rather use that spot for a player who'll contribute on special teams. Doug Pederson most definitely sticks to that philosophy, which is why you should expect the Jags to carry two quarterbacks in 2024.

If Trevor Lawrence has to leave the field at any point, Mac Jones can quickly step in his place. And if No. 16 has to miss time, Jacksonville can easily sign either C.J. Beathard or E.J. Perry to their active roster for as long as he's out.

The bottom line is that the Jaguars under Pederson have carried two quarterbacks on the roster. The new rule won't change that in 2024.

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