Ex Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew reacts to Colts decision to roll with Anthony Richardson

Quarterback Gardner Minshew has always been a fierce competitor. For that reason, nobody was surprised when he wanted to compete to get a chance to start somewhere once the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence in 2021. Two years later, Minshew is still looking for his chance, and it looks like he might need to keep waiting in light of the news that rookie Anthony Richardson will be QB1 when the Jacksonville Jaguars face the Indianapolis Colts in the opener.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen has seen enough of both Minshew and Richardson throughout the offseason and has named the latter the starter for the opener. Steichen went on to say that the team is fortunate to have Minshew around and then praised him for getting the rookie signal-caller prepare.

This isn't the outcome Minshew expected but he threw his full support around his teammate. "I totally understand and I'm all in with what we got going," Minshew said, via Kevin Bowen of 1075 The Fan. "I can't stress enough, I'm really excited about Anthony, he's going to be really special. He's got a great opportunity here.

A sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft, Minshew took for an ineffective Nick Foles in his rookie season and provided a spark to an otherwise underwhelming team, completing 60.63 percent of his passes for 3,271 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions.

Due to his success as a rookie, Minshew was then given a chance the following season to show he was the Jaguars quarterback of the future. However, he fell flat. Although he wasn't the reason Jacksonville went 1-15 in 2020, he wasn't part of the solution, which is why the Jags didn't pass on the opportunity to draft Trevor Lawrence first overall.

Although Urban Meyer split reps in practices and have both quarterbacks compete, Lawrence was always going to be the starter. And to pave the way for him, the Jags chose to trade Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles after one preseason game. Minshew then spent two years honing his skills and backing Jalen Hurts up. He met Steichen during his two-year stint in Philly and followed him to the Colts when he became the coordinator.

While Minshew had a realistic chance to seize the starting job, there was an equal chance the nod was going to go to Richardson, who's got more upside at this point of their respective careers.

Former Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew cannot do anything but continue to prepare

It's possible that Minshew felt frustrated about not getting his opportunity but he's showing his a great teammate by accepting Steichen's decision to roll with Richardson. And that's the thing, Minshew was Steinchen's guy but he's got a job to do: Winning football games he thinks Richardson gives them a better chance.

Richardson certainly displayed big-play capability with the Gators. Although he still needs to refine his mechanics and his footwork, his ability to improvise could help him while he masters the finer points of the position.

Now, Gardner Minshew knew this could happen and there's not much he can do but stay ready in case he's called upon. You never know, backup quarterbacks are one injury away from stepping on the football field and if he does, he'll have the opportunity to prove he should've gotten his chance much sooner.

Here are other recent Jaguars stories you might also like: