Eagles Trade For Gardner Minshew: QB Competition?

After the Jaguars drafted QB Trevor Lawrence with the number one overall pick in this year's draft, it was very apparent that previous starting QB Gardner Minshew was going to be headed to the bench. In the preseason, there was a competition between the two, but Lawrence was expectedly named the starter. With no place to go but the bench, the Jaguars decided to trade Minshew to the Philadelphia Eagles. Let us look at the details of the trade and why exactly the trade even happened.

Trade Details

As far as the trade details go, there were not many moving parts. The deal was straight up Minshew to the Eagles for a pick. This pick going to Jacksonville is a conditional sixth-round pick in next year's draft. If Minshew plays 50% of the snaps in three games this year, the sixth-round pick turns into a fifth-rounder for the Jaguars. The Eagles also released QB Nick Mullens to go along with the trade.

Minshew’s Role in Philly

In the two years, he has been in the NFL, Minshew has proven to be a more than capable quarterback in the NFL. It does not help that he has not been on very good teams, but you see his flashes of talent and his flair for the dramatic on the field and even off the field. In two years, Minshew has a 7-13 record with 37 TD and 11 INT with a CMP% of 62.9. Those numbers are not pro bowl level but are competent enough to be in the NFL. Now the question is, where does he fit in on the Eagles. QB Jalen Hurts is the clear starter with Joe Flacco being the backup. If anything, this move might prove how the Eagles feel about Hurts and might have Minshew as a safety blanket. If Philadelphia was sold fully on Hurts, I am not sure if this move is even made. With just a little over a week left until the season starts, Minshew might not even dress Week 1. Regardless, it is a low-risk deal that gives the Eagles security if needed.

Who Won the Trade?

Most trades are even, but the clear winner in this trade is the Eagles. Minshew brings more value than a sixth-round pick and immediately adds depth to the QB room at worst with the ability to start if you need him to. As for the Jaguars, the trade does not make much sense. With QB Trevor Lawrence and HC Urban Meyer both in their first years, Minshew could have been the leader in the locker room and a guy that mentored Lawrence. Minshew is still young but has experience in the league already. It was a move that did not have to be made for Jacksonville, while the Eagles just added depth for a late-round pick.

Trade info from sportingnews.com

Stats from profootballreference.com

Writer

-By: Richie Dordas