Doug Marrone: “I know when you don’t have a quarterback, you have to get one.”

The Jacksonville Jaguars brass held a draft luncheon today and answered questions about their roster, their scheme, and their draft plans. When asked about the possibility of getting a quarterback in the 2017 NFL Draft next week, head coach Doug Marrone took the opportunity.

“I know when you don’t have one you have to get one,” Marrone said, evoking a laugh from Executive VP of Football Operations Tom Coughlin.

Your first thought may be, “Of course, Marrone.”

But this isn’t how coach speak typically works in the NFL. Normally, a coaching staff and front office are unified on speaking incredibly highly of their quarterback no matter what. These vague, subtle hints at confidence leaking through the cracks of Tom Coughlin, Doug Marrone, and Dave Caldwell is not how it usually plays out.

Could it be a way for the Jaguars to go all in on their quarterback smokescreen? Possibly. But the idea that the Jaguars could go for a quarterback in the first few rounds (or even No. 4 overall) isn’t a silly notion any longer.