As Jacksonville's Season Progresses, Quarterback Question Looms

What should the Jaguars do at the quarterback position when Nick Foles returns?

In a few weeks, the Jacksonville Jaguars will be facing one of the most pressing questions any team in sports can have to answer: who will be the starting quarterback?

Gardner Minshew continues to play good football for the Jaguars. Through the past six games, the rookie has led the team well. But, the big question arises. When Nick Foles come back from injured reserve following the clavicle injury he suffered in Week 1, will the Jaguars sit Minshew for Foles? 

That question will remain unanswered at least for a few more weeks. Minshew has at least two or three games left as the starter. So far, the rookie has thrown for 1,442 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.

Jacksonville currently sits at 3-4 and should they win their next two games against the New York Jets and the Houston Texans, that would put them at 5-4 before Foles is eligible to return. If Minshew can keep playing at a high level, should the coaching staff bench him for the veteran they acquired for four years? 

Here’s the breakdown: Minshew is putting in the work for Jacksonville. We could see Foles back at practice this week. That would put him two weeks from returning, most likely in Week 11 against the Indianapolis Colts. 

However, the coaching staff will have a big decision to make. In the case of Foles, is it a better case scenario to keep him out and only play him on a limited basis? In terms of risking another injury, this could be an option.

With Minshew rolling, and if he continues to do so, there really is no reason to make Foles the starter and take away a good thing that is working. Should this team stack up some wins with the rookie starting, it should keep Minshew in. The risk of injury to Foles is too much to risk this late into the season. 

For a Jacksonville team trying to get a playoff berth, bringing in your veteran starter to potentially get hurt again just isn’t the answer. Not saying that Foles will get hurt, just hypothetical talk. But, it goes without saying that this team has rallied around Minshew. The entire staff and city have. The fan base loves him as the starter at this point and the team has bought in.

But on the flip side of this, if things were to go downhill the next few weeks with Minshew and the offense and they aren’t winning games, the need for Foles is there. Should he fully return in Week 11, put him in as the starter if the team is at a standstill. He would bring a veteran presence to an already young offense.

End of the Debate 

This debate on which quarterback to play will be discussed over the next few weeks until the decision is made. Until Week 11, Gardner Minshew is the starter. But in my mind, they should keep him in for the remainder of the season. 

Even with a 3-4 record currently, the Jaguars have some momentum and the rookie is playing at a solid level. Is there really a point in taking that away from him if the team is in good standing when Foles returns? 

Personally, I just don’t see the risk of putting Foles back in being the golden reward here. Minshew is leading the charge, and it should stay that way (at least for this season). If the Jaguars were to make the playoff, maybe they make a change. If not, save Foles for next season and figure it out from there.