clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

2013 Jacksonville Jaguars training camp preview: Quarterbacks

USA TODAY Sports

When David Caldwell took over as General Manager for the Jacksonville Jaguars, he said that quarterback would be a "wide-open competition" but that he was excited about Blaine Gabbert. Although much of Jacksonville wouldn't use the word "excited" to describe their thoughts towards Gabbert, the next-best option is Chad Henne who -- oh who am I kidding? We could barely go two minutes last year before visions of dumpster fires danced in our heads. Our starter has a Hail Mary's chance in 2013, Chad Henne is still a question mark and Mike Kafka will need a total metamorphosis to become a starter in the league.

The Players

Blaine Gabbert
Ht 6-4 Wt: 235
Age: 23 Exp: 3
Start of Camp Status: Starter, No. 1 quarterback

The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up in the 2011 NFL Draft to take Gabbert with the tenth overall pick, which many thought was a great move by the general manager Gene Smith. Gabbert was probably pushed into the starting lineup before he was ready, and the rest is history. He's been woeful for his first two seasons with very few glimmers. He was starting to get a bit consistent in 2012 before a rash of injuries, but he still had a long ways to go.

Camp Outlook: Barring a total meltdown, Gabbert will likely be the starting quarterback again

Chad Henne
Ht 6-3 Wt: 230
Age: 28 Exp: 6
Start of Camp Status: Backup quarterback

The Jaguars signed Henne in the 2012 offseason as a veteran backup to push Gabbert and he wound up starting half the season, flaming out at the end after a hot start. Henne should once again enter camp as the backup quarterback expected to compete with Gabbert for the starting job, but barring Henne having the light bulb come on and Gabbert bombing, it's not likely he wins the job.

Camp Outlook: Henne will likely wind up the backup again, but there is also some thought he could find himself off the roster if he is as bad in camp as he was last season or even with Kafka.

Mike Kafka
Ht 6-3 Wt: 225
Age: 25 Exp: 3
Start of Camp Status: Backup quarterback

The Jaguars claimed Kafka when he was released by the Patriots. Kafka was a back up on the Eagles for a few seasons getting a bit of spot duty, but hasn't seemed to find a sticking spot yet in the NFL. General manager Dave Caldwell supposedly likes Kafka a bit as a player, so it wouldn't be a shock to see him make the final roster.

Camp Outlook: Kafka likely makes the Jaguars final roster if he's as good as or better than Chad Henne.

Matt Scott
Ht 6-3 Wt: 212
Age: 22 Exp: R
Start of Camp Status: Backup quarterback

Matt Scott was a favorite of Jaguars fans leading up to the 2013 NFL Draft and most expected him to go in the mid-rounds, especially with the success of quarterbacks like Russell Wilson and Colin Kaepernick, but he wound up undrafted, possibly because of multiple concussions his final season at Arizona.

Camp Outlook: Scott likely winds up as the Jaguars third quarterback or on the practice squad to be groomed as a long term backup.

More from Big Cat Country: