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When asked if Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert would be on the roster for the 2014 season or not, general manager Dave Caldwell said he's still under contract and he told Gabbert he would like to have him back on the team.
"He's made great strides in practice," Caldwell said in his press conference on Tuesday.
The reality however is that it's unlikely that Gabbert is back with the Jaguars on opening day in 2014, especially if the team selects a quarterback early in the 2014 NFL Draft and re-sign someone like Chad Henne or another veteran quarterback.
Caldwell acknowledged as much in the media session after the press conference.
Caldwell says it's unlikely he would keep Gabbert if they draft a QB and re-sign Henne
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) December 31, 2013
On Monday Gabbert bristled at the idea of asking for a trade when asked and indicated he was looking forward to coming back in 2014 and competing for the starting quarterback position.
"No, that's a ridiculous question to ask," Gabbert told Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union when asked about a trade. "I'll be here [April 21] when we start over and go through the off-season program with the same coach."
Gabbert began the 2013 season as the Jaguars starting quarterback, but after abysmal play and multiple injuries he relinquished the job to Chad Henne. Gabbert ended the season with just 481 passing yards, one touchdown and seven interceptions.
