Minshew Mania is heading to Philly. The Jaguars are trading quarterback Gardner Minshew to the Eagles, reports NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (via Twitter). Jacksonville will receive a conditional sixth-round pick. That sixth-round pick could turn into a fifth-round pick if Minshew plays in at least 50-percent of his team’s snaps in three individual games, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
With the Jaguars landing the first-overall pick and can’t-miss prospect Trevor Lawrence, Minshew found himself in the rumor mill for much of the offseason. The organization naturally wanted to see what they had in Lawrence before making a hasty decision on their other signal caller, but the writing was on the wall when coach Urban Meyer announced Lawrence as the Week 1 starter. While Minshew would have been a reliable contingency plan in the event of an injury to Lawrence, the Jaguars were apparently looking to cash in on their number-two quarterback as soon as possible. Today’s move means C.J. Beathard will slide in as Lawrence’s definitive backup.
While Minshew probably would have been that definitive backup quarterback in Jacksonville, he’ll now find himself third on the depth chart in Philly. According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo (on Twitter), today’s trade has done nothing to shake up the Eagles depth chart, as starter Jalen Hurts and backup Joe Flacco have solid holds on their jobs. So, as Rapoport notes on Twitter, the Eagles are acquiring Minshew as a reclamation project/developmental piece, with the reporter noting that the front office loves to “collect and develop talent at the most important position.” In fact, the team considered using a late-round pick on a developmental quarterback during the 2021 draft (per Rapoport); instead, they used a 2022 late-round pick on a 25-year-old with 23 games of experience.
Considering his production, Minshew could find himself eventually climbing the depth chart in Philadelphia. The team committed more than $3MM to Flacco, so it’s most likely that the team carries three quarterbacks for much of the season. Minshew has cap number of $898K in 2021 and $1.01MM in 2022, providing the Eagles with a low-cost option as they try to get clarity on their quarterbacks situation in 2021.
Minshew transformed from a little-known, 2019 sixth-round pick into a sensation during his rookie campaign. Filling it for Nick Foles, Minshew ended up starting 12 of his 14 games, completing 60.6-percent of his passes for 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. He also guided the Jaguars to a 6-6 record during his 12 starts. The Jaguars took a clear step back in 2020, but Minshew still put up solid numbers. While Jacksonville went only 1-7 in Minshew’s eight starts, the quarterback still completed 66.1-percent of his passes for 2,259 yards, 16 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He’s also shown some versatility outside of the passing game, collecting 497 rushing yards on 96 career carries.
What?
Oh, he said that Gardner Minshew was traded to the Eagles for a conditional sixth-round pick.
I guess Flacco will be heading home.
If you read the story, Minshew will be the 3rd string quarterback and Flacco will be the 2nd string.
Joe Flacco got Jacksoned, no wait Locked, no wait Minshewed…..
This is just a polite way to say Mr Flacco welcome to the Jets……
Nah, the odd (or even, considering he’s the 4th) man out is Nick Mullens. LaFleur knows him well so it’s possible he comes over to the Jets. Captain Morgan had an impressive play to end their final preseason game last night, but his overall play was inconsistent. Mike White injured his ribs in the previous game. He’ll be OK, but I don’t think he stays especially since I see Mullens was officially released.
Flacco just got done playing with the Jets. Not likely he goes back.
No way
I’m calling more serious issue with Jalen hurts(illness)
Wow, a big opportunity for Minshew, jags could have kept him behind Lawrence just in case. A 6th rd pick seems a little light to move your back up on a cheap rookie deal.
Big opportunity? He went from #2 on the depth chart in Jacksonville to #3 in Philly.
It’s a big opportunity because if Hurts struggles, everyone knows Flacco will never be the answer. Minshew has more upside.
The article you’re commenting on literally says that Minshew is the #3. This is a step backwards. He just got traded for a sixth rounder to a team with QBs entrenched at #1 and #2. ‘Big opportunity’ is not a good characterization of this move for Minshew.
Regardless of what the article says, anyone who’s watched football the last few years knows Flacco isn’t gonna beat out ANYONE for a job in the long run. It’s all posturing to keep a vet happy.
Beathard > Minshew
One thing is definite; this was not a vote of confidence for Hurts.
This trade by the Eagles makes no sense. You have a very capable backup in Flacco, can always bring in another veteran backup next year on the cheap. But now when Hurts gets Hurt, and Flacco comes in The Philly faithful will be screaming for Minshew.
As for the Jags, this also doesn’t make sense either, since what do you have as a veteran backup who can come in if Lawrence gets hurt or struggles? Also wondering if Minshew was one of the players complaining about new coach Urban Meyers and his ‘college’ attitude? Which may explain his sudden trade for a 6th round pick.
Exactly, just a dumb deal to trade a pick for a 3rd stringer. And for that 3rd stringer to have 20 starts under his belt in 2 seasons which I’m sure will have him antsy in his role as the backup clipboard holder.
disagree with MG here. Minshew is probably the backup. Flacco looked good yesterday, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s otherwise looked bad for years now.
This del makes plenty of sense. You are getting a guy who had experience on a rookie contract. Yeah this year he’s our 3rd and he’s under contract next year to. And Flacco isn’t. At that point he’s our 2 for 1m it’s a very smart decision.
i mean a big upgrade at the backup spot, but for a probable 5th in a rebuilding year. i dunno.
most likely a 6th. This gives the Eagles Flexibility!!! If Hurts shines, we could trade him for two 1st round draft picks (giving us 5 first round picks in next years draft). or if Hurts stinks we have a serviceable quarterback still on a rookie deal.
If Hurts shines, you won’t be trading him. The only scenario where he gets traded next year is if Sirianni hates him so much that he feels he can’t coach him. I highly doubt that happens. Even if Hurts is bad, Philly will probably follow a progression like Denver did with Lock-give him another chance, bring in a veteran, and if he’s bad still, the veteran will start until a new QB is acquired and Hurts will be given a chance to back the veteran up.
My guess is Minshew is that veteran who challenges Hurts for the job next year if Hurts looks bad this year, Ak185. He’s also insurance, once he’s learned the system, in case both Hurts and Flacco flop this year.
Fair point, cka2nd. I suppose Sirianni is at least a little familiar with him, given that he had some time in Indy when Minshew started for Jacksonville.
“If Hurts shines, we could trade him for two 1st round draft picks”
This scenario seems odd on a number of levels. If Hurts plays well enough that he’d be able to fetch two 1st rounders, why would you trade him? And do you realize how well he’d have to play where teams would consider multiple 1sts for him? I don’t understand this at all.
If he plays well he could certainly fetch that sort of return. Just look at what teams give up every year to get in the top of the 1st to chase the next great young QB. He would be very young and still only 1/2way through his rookie deal. But, if he played that well and they decided to trade him would be yet another idiotic mistake at handling their QB position almost as bad as choosing him to begin with, using a high pick on a backup and neglecting the many obvious holes across the roster that should have been filled immediately
Not the backup. 3rd string like the article says. It’s for COVID depth because you never know what will happen. Flacco knows the offense and Minshew does not. Flacco stays as the backup.
For now, I agree. For the whole season, I’m not so sure.
Seems like he should of been worth more
I don’t watch preseason…has Hurts been bad enough to make the Eagles nervous? If so, this makes sense.
Otherwise, don’t see why either team did this.
Who is the backup in Jacksonville now?
I watch the preseason, Hurts took all of 10 snaps combined so he’d better hope to shine right out the gate or the backlash will be relentless.
Hurts has barely played which has been the norm for most starting QB’s this preseason.
I’m not a Minshew fan but he’s at least somewhat mobile. Flacco is a statue and the offense would be completely different with him at QB.
Except most starting QBs have more experience running their offense. Hurts had all of 4 games at the helm and the results ranged from awful to good. He needed quality reps against somebody other than green shirts in practice.
I believe C.J. Beathard is now the QB2 in Jacksonville. He’s a legit QB2, in my opinion, but no threat to Lawrence with the fans and the press or in the locker room, while Minshew might have been.
Well, that sucks for Minshew. I was really hoping that he’d get a chance to start somewhere. After the way that Jacksonville tossed him aside despite his good season coming in cold, I’m sure he’ll be determined to get to free agency next year or secure a trade to a team with a starting opportunity.
I was hoping Denver would take him this year, or possibly Washington. If the Daniel Jones make or break doesn’t work out, I could New York rolling the dice next year, or Houston if they finally decide to get rid of Watson.
New York rolling the dice on Minshew? Next year? I’m not sure that makes much sense. If Daniel Jones has a bad year, they’re going to draft a new QB (plus hopefully fire Gettleman), not roll with a retread like Minshew. Unless I’m misunderstanding you.
I could see Minshew and a new pick having a competition in New York. Really I was just listing any place I could immediately think of that would have an opening for a starter. If New York doesn’t get a good year out of Jones and moves on, I don’t think Judge would roll with a new QB without a good backup plan. Minshew could be that fallback there. Denver or maybe Houston post-Watson aside, I don’t think most teams would just simply acquire Minshew without an additional player to compete with him.
I don’t peg NYG as being the most likely destination in my mind, but I just could see it happening.
Minshew came out of the gate hot initially but then he cooled off and was average at best. He’s not a starting caliber QB in the NFL. They didn’t “toss him aside” he played poorly and got benched.
I disagree here. Sam Darnold continues to get the benefit of the doubt because he played for a clueless coach on a talentless team. Minshew has outperformed Darnold in the same type of situation. He got benched because he tried to hide his broken thumb and play through it. I’m not saying that hiding an injury is a good idea, but I respect his desire to play and his willingness to play hurt. I don’t think anyone can definitively say he is or isn’t a starting caliber QB.
Agreed. I was hoping he might get a couple of starts as a showcase at the beginning of the year. I don’t think the Jags maximized his value with this strategy. The Eagles situation is pretty worst case for him. The new regime is going to be eager to avoid a QB controversy(you would think). I hope he gets his shot with a coach who can devise a scheme that plays to his strengths.
Well at least we know who they’re starting QB is now.
Trading for Haskins as a backup so Meyer can be reunited?
Another odd move by Urban Meyer. Minshew doesn’t have the talent to be the starter, but the Jaguars now have nobody in the QB room that can push Lawrence to develop.
Lawrence appears to be pretty self-motivated and public motivated. Psychologically, Lawrence competes against Russell Wilson, Matt Ryan and Tom Brady.
Oh fun. Now there are three QBs with the desire to be the starter and stated as much. Hopefully it’s not a toxic QB room.
what, you dont like players with the drive to compete?
This is a talented kid who played on a horrendous jaguar team. Obviously Lawrence was going to start and the eagles got a steal. This young gunslinger is more talented than either Flacco or hurts in my opinion and will prove that first opportunity given.
Sure would have been interesting to see Minshew go to Indy and work with Frank Reich.
Given that Minshew has been surrounded by stiffs the last two years it isn’t clear if he can play or not – and we sure won’t find that out in Philly…
If I were an Eagles fan I’d be a bit upset that Howie made a deal for Minshew without even giving Jaws a workout.
Thought Minshew would’ve made a lot of sense for Indy or Houston but I guess not
Given that Jacksonville is a division rival who would be dealing a starting level quarterback to a team that is currently missing their’s, I’m not surprised. I do agree that Minshew would fit otherwise.