NFL Veteran Quarterback Finding Success In New City
Gardner Minshew will be entering his fifth NFL season in 2023 on his third different team. The former Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles quarterback is competing for a spot with the Indianapolis Colts. However, the team has already named the 2023 fourth overall pick, Anthony Richardson, the starting quarterback for the team’s Week One matchup against the Jaguars.
Despite the potential of sitting on the bench once again, Minshew has looked impressive in his two preseason games so far. He’s looking a lot like he did in his rookie season in 2019 for the Jaguars and his first year as Jalen Hurts’ backup in 2021 for the Eagles. Will the former Washington State star ever get a chance to shine in the NFL?
Gardner Minshew Is Dominating The NFL Preseason
The Colts started Anthony Richardson in their first preseason game, which was against the Buffalo Bills. Richardson was intercepted on his third pass of the game. He returned for the team’s second and third drives resulting in zero points.
Minshew was brought in for the following series with the team down 10-0. He was sacked twice as the Colts had to punt. He then led Indianapolis on their first scoring drive of the game. Minshew went six of six for 72 yards on the eight-play 88-yard drive right before the end of the half cutting the deficit to 10-7.
The Colts started Gardner Minshew the next preseason game, which was a win over the Chicago Bears. He was just as accurate with the football as his first game. Minshew only played for three series but left the game with the lead. He finished the game 13 of 15 for 107 yards and a touchdown pass.
Though the sample size is small, Minshew is completing over 90% of his passes so far this preseason. The pocket passer has been known for his accuracy and limits mistakes. He completed over 70% of his pass attempts during his senior year at Washington State going 11-2 as a starter. He then completed over 60% of his passes in each of his first three seasons in the NFL for the Jaguars and Eagles as a backup.
Do The Eagles Regret Letting Him Walk?
Gardner Minshew was Jalen Hurts’ backup the last two years making two starts in each season. In 2021 with a playoff spot on the line, he went 20 of 25 for 242 yards and two touchdowns in the team’s win over the New York Jets. He looked like the perfect backup in Philly.
However, the next season he struggled. The Eagles had a comfortable spot atop the NFC when Jalen Hurts needed to miss time for a shoulder injury at the end of the 2022 season. Minshew struggled as the Eagles lost both games he started. He turned the ball over four times in those games, which was uncharacteristic for him.
With his contract expiring and the emergence of Jalen Hurts as one of the top QBs in the NFL, the Eagles let Minshew walk. They instead brought in Marcus Mariota to be the backup. So far in 2023, Mariota has struggled in the preseason. He went nine of 17 for just 86 yards and an interception in Philadelphia’s tie against the Cleveland Browns. In fact, sixth-round rookie Tanner McKee seems to be outplaying him.
Philadelphia wanted their backup to have a similar skillset as Jalen Hurts, which makes sense. Both Hurts and Mariota are dual-threat quarterbacks. However, Unlike Hurts, Mariota has been missing on a lot of throws as drives stall. If he is needed to start a game, things may not go well. Perhaps Minshew was better than what he got credit for.
Though the Eagles can’t bring back Gardner Minshew, his preseason performance would have been welcomed by Eagles fans compared to the situation now. It will be interesting to see if he gets any opportunities to play during the regular season for Indianapolis this year. It certainly looks like the Colts are set at backup quarterback now.
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