The Jacksonville Jaguars could be on the market for a backup quarterback if Mac Jones leaves in free agency. By all accounts, that appears to be the most likely scenario. Fortunately, the Jags will have no shortage of options to replace him, and it looks like another one — they're pretty familiar with — will be available at the start of the league's new year.
Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports that the Las Vegas Raiders have informed Gardner Minshew that they plan to release him at the beginning of free agency, which indicates the start of free agency.
The #Raiders informed QB Gardner Minshew they’ll release him when the new league year begins next Wednesday, per sources.
Minshew has 46 career starts and is still only 28 years old. An experienced option available. pic.twitter.com/m9xZLzeK7l
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 5, 2025
After a productive 2023 with the Indianapolis Colts, Minshew signed a two-year deal with the Raiders last offseason. He won the starting job but was eventually benched in favor of then-sophomore Aidan O'Connell due to his poor play. The former Washington State Cougar ended up completing 66.3 percent of his throws for 2,013 yards with nine touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 10 games with nine starts.
Minshew was originally a sixth-round pick by the Jags in 2019. Expected to serve as the backup became the starter when prized free-agent acquisition Nick Foles got hurt. He proceeded to take the league by storm, registering a 60.6 completion rate for 3,271 yards with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions.
After an encouraging rookie campaign, Minshew was given a chance to prove that he was the long-term answer behind center in 2020. He struggled so badly — and concealed a thumb injury — that he was phased out in favor of first-year quarterback Jake Luton. The Massachusetts native was reinstated as the starter later that year but once again fell flat.
The Jaguars ended up going 1-15 in 2020. Having seen enough of Minshew, they drafted Trevor Lawrence first overall in 2021 and traded Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles before the start of the regular season.
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Why a Gardner Minshew reunion with the Jaguars makes sense?
At this point of his career, Gardner Minshew may not be more than either a stopgap quarterback or a solid backup. Then again, that's precisely what the Jacksonville Jaguars need. Trevor Lawrence hasn't been nearly as consistent as the organization would've wanted the past two years, but it's still his show. Both general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen have made it abundantly clear.
That said, the Jags need to have insurance in case No. 16 goes down. He's missed time each of the past two years, which is precisely why they brought Mac Jones to begin with. When Lawrence missed time in 2023, the coaching staff didn't appear to be confident in C.J. Beathard's ability to win games, which is why he migh've only played one game.
Then last offseason, Jacksonville acquired Jones from the Patriots and became QB2. All things considered, he played like a backup: Well enough to keep the team afloat in case the starter goes down. However, he'll probably leave in free agency. That will fill a void the team's brass will need to fill.
The Jaguars could draft a developmental prospect. They met with Quinn Ewers at the Scouting Combine. That said, having an experienced backup who can be thrust into action at any time would make a bit more sense, at least in 2025. Minshew would be an intriguing option. He left because he wanted to compete for a starting job. Now that he's got a good idea of what kind of player he is, he'll probably be willing to take on a reserve role.
A return to Jacksonville is feasible when you take into account that he's still well-liked. The fact that he often gave the team a reason for optimism during some of its darkest days would make fans embrace him with arms wide open. Moreover, the Jags need a backup quarterback and won't have to break the bank for him.
In the end, there are different ways the Jaguars can approach the backup QB position, but signing Gardner Minshew is most definitely a viable option.
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