Gardner Minshew Drawing Trade Interest

The Jaguars are fielding calls on Gardner Minshew. Expected to be replaced by presumptive No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars’ primary starting quarterback over the past two seasons has drawn interest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

A run of bridge QBs/high-end backups have signed already. Cam Newton, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston and Jacoby Brissett agreed to deals recently. Minshew profiles as a player who could start for a team while it figures out a longer-term strategy.

While the popular sixth-round pick was at the helm for part of Jacksonville’s 15-game losing streak last season, he has flashed since becoming an unexpected starter as a rookie. Minshew has thrown 37 touchdown passes compared to 11 interceptions. Despite the Jags having given Nick Foles a lucrative deal in 2019, Minshew has been the team’s most productive QB over the past two years.

Two years remain on Minshew’s rookie contract. A team that acquires the former Washington State standout would have him under contract on base salaries of $850K and $965K. That would be quite the bargain, given what the other bridge-type quarterbacks have signed for thus far this week.

Minshew could also serve as Lawrence’s backup, but the Jags do have Jake Luton on the team as well. Urban Meyer also could seek to bring in his own QB2, and Minshew may well fetch a price better than the sixth-round cost the Jaguars initially paid.

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