By trading Nick Foles last month, the Jacksonville Jaguars told the world they are committing to Gardner Minshew under center. Well, at least for 2020, anyway.

NFL Network analyst David Jeremiah thinks that the key to next season for the Jaguars will be evaluating Minshew and seeing if he is the type of quarterback they can build around moving forward:

“I think this year is about getting a good evaluation on Gardner Minshew,” Jeremiah said, via J.P. Shadrick of Jacksonville's team website. “Can he build off of last year, which was impressive and show he can be the guy going forward? That will really free this franchise up to be able to spend money in free agency and other positions, fix the defense, use your resources in next year’s draft and really take care of that side of the ball.”

Minshew, who played his collegiate football at Washington State, was originally selected by the Jaguars in the sixth round (178th pick overall) of the NFL Draft last spring. Foles entered 2019 as the starting quarterback, but in Week 1, he suffered a collarbone injury, thrusting Minshew into duty.

Article Continues Below
More Jaguars News
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen looks on during a rookie minicamp at Miller Electric Center Saturday, May 10, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Jaguars add veteran reinforcements for OTAsJaren Kawada ·
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) catches a pass during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center.
Jaguars’ Travis Hunter pick at OTAs has Pat McAfee uttering ‘Holy s**t’Benjamin Adducchio ·
Jacksonville Jaguars hidden gems Brenton Strange, Jarrian Jones, Robert Hainsey
3 Jacksonville Jaguars hidden gems on 2025 roster you need to knowCameron Zunkel ·
Dec 29, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. (1) runs the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the second quarter at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Liam Coen shoots down ‘inaccurate’ Travis Etienne Jr. trade rumorsMike Gianakos ·
Mystery player in the middle, Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr around him, Jaguars logo in the background
1 Jacksonville Jaguars rookie who stood out most in 2025 minicampEnzo Flojo ·
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) can’t one-hand grab a pass during the first organized team activity at Miller Electric Center Monday, May 19, 2025 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. earns honor Trevor Lawrence couldn’t matchMalik Brown ·

Minshew was so impressive that he eventually took Foles' job even when Foles got healthy. In 14 appearances and 12 starts for the Jaguars, the 23-year-old threw for 3,271 yards, 21 touchdowns and six interceptions while completing 60.6 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 91.2.

Is he the answer moving forward?

It remains to be seen, but it appears that the Jaguars saw enough out of him this past year to give him a shot in 2020. Based on how well he played during his rookie campaign, that doesn't seem like a bad idea.