Gardner Minshew Trade Value: Landing spots for Jaguars QB

As the days tick down to the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL Draft, it appears more likely the organization will trade QB Gardner Minshew to one of a handful of plausible landing spots. As another week of NFL free agency passes, which teams could be in the market for the Jaguars QB?

Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew potential landing spots via trade

San Francisco 49ers

Let’s kick off Minshew Mania with the team that is getting all the media attention. There are league-wide rumblings that the San Francisco 49ers are working the QB market, despite saying they are content with Jimmy Garoppolo. After all, “smokescreen season” encompasses more than just the NFL Draft. According to ESPN Insider Jeremy Fowler, the 49ers are reportedly in the trade market for Jacksonville Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew.

Also, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Urban Meyer and the Jaguars signed 49ers QB C.J. Beathard. With Beathard backing up Trevor Lawrence, the 49ers could be the landing spot for Gardner Minshew as the teams switch QBs.

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First, there is a familiarity between both sides. In 2019, when Gardner Minshew was at the Senior Bowl, guess who his team’s coaching staff was? You guessed it, Kyle Shanahan and the 49ers. Trading for Minshew takes away some of the push to move up in the draft come late April. While it could still be possible, acquiring Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew in a trade would be a smart move for any team unsure about their current starter.

Denver Broncos

Speaking of unresolved QB rooms, the Denver Broncos are a team who, based on who you get information from, are in the quarterback market. Some believe that Drew Lock deserves another year to prove himself, and outside of Deshaun Watson, why spend the assets? There is an even louder camp that has seen enough of Lock and is ready to move on after just 18 games.

At the end of the day, the choice comes down to the organization. If they desire a quarterback who can rock a mullet better than Travis Tritt and throw it over the mountains like Uncle Rico, Gardner Minshew is their man. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger returned for one last song and dance, but behind him, the quality of play is as short as Gardner Minshew’s cut-off jean shorts. Mason Rudolph’s most memorable play was getting hit with his own helmet, and Dwayne Haskins has been the poster child of how to ruin a career before it starts.

There is an actual argument that Gardner Minshew sabotaged himself last season trying to play with an injured thumb. If he played better, the Jaguars are likely not selecting Trevor Lawrence in six weeks. Additionally, if a city appreciates when their players gut it out, it’s the Pittsburgh Steelers. The thing is, NFL players hide injuries all the time and hope it doesn’t come back to bite them.

Philadephia Eagles

Following Carson Wentz’s trade to Indianapolis, the Eagles seem ready to let Jalen Hurts take the reins. However, what is the backup plan if he fails? As of right now, their backup is Joe Flacco and all of his eliteness. Going from a dynamic playmaker to a statue would shock the system of the Eagles’ offense. 

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Last season, no QB was sacked more times than Carson Wentz (50). Whoever is under center in 2021 will have to deal with that same offensive line. Mobility is a critical trait for a QB to get out of bad situations, and Gardner Minshew has it. Making a trade for Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew would not break the bank and would be a valuable insurance policy for a team trying to rebuild.

Chicago Bears

Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are on the hot seat and everyone knows it. Are they content with moving forward with “The Red Rifle” Andy Dalton as their quarterback?

Without a significant trade, the Bears did just enough to push them out of the QB market come draft day. Having announced Dalton as the starting QB, there is no reason to keep Nick Foles’ massive contract on the books. A quick way to relieve cap space would be to trade Foles and make a smaller trade for Gardner Minshew. Over the next two seasons, Minshew combines for less than a $2 million cap hit compared to Foles’ $17.3 million.

While surrounded with a lack of talent, Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew played admirably and is worthy of a trade

Despite the narratives, Gardner Minshew has been a solid NFL QB and deserves the opportunity to compete for a starting job. I mean, it’s no coincidence the Jaguars have the first pick in this year’s draft. 

In his 2019 rookie season, Minshew was 6-6 as a starter but outplayed their record. Remember, wins are not a QB stat, no matter how much people try to say otherwise. In 14 total games, Minshew completed 60.6% of his passes (285 of 470) for 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. That was more touchdowns, a higher QBR (91.2), and half as many interceptions as the 2019 NFL Rookie of the Year Kyler Murray.

Minshew had more passing yards than MVP Lamar Jackson and put together three game-winning drives while playing on the porous Jaguars roster. Minshew also added 67 rushes for 344 yards which were the fifth-most in the NFL behind only Jackson, Murray, Josh Allen, and Watson.

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No question he struggled last season, but we can point back to the injury he was playing through. Still, there was progression in his sophomore season. Minshew raised his completion percentage by nearly six percent (66.1%), threw for more yards per game (251.0), and raised his QBR (95.9) while under pressure (27 sacks in nine games).

I am not claiming Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew and his glorious dental drapes are a franchise savior, but he is far better than what he gets portrayed to be — a mediocre backup. 

Take whatever Day 3 dart throw at QB and use it to trade for Gardner Minshew. He is better than any other late-round option in the 2021 NFL Draft.

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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.