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The Jacksonville Jaguars are going to gather all the help they can get to challenge Blake Bortles and find a quarterback — and that includes looking at a veteran quarterback in free agency.
According to Ben Volin of The Boston Globe, the Jaguars were singled out as one of two teams in win-now mode and want a veteran backup to push the starter.
1/3 A few more tidbits from the Combine...
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 5, 2018
*Heard that Panthers, Jaguars & Dolphins are heavily interested in free agent QB market. Panthers want a quality backup because Newton takes a lot of hits. Jags & Fins are in win-now mode and want a veteran backup to push the starter
2/3 Vikings are def in on Cousins, but there are issues--they want to do new deals for Stefon Diggs, Anthony Barr & Danielle Hunter, and NFL's funding requirement is an issue for Cousins' massive guarantees.
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) March 5, 2018
MIN & DEN give Cousins the best chance to win. NYJ can pay the most
It makes a lot of sense to grab a veteran free agent and draft a guy in one of the first two rounds. Bortles was signed to a very obvious bridge deal that displays some confidence, but not “this is our franchise guy” confidence and only having a rookie push him — especially a Day 2 guy like Mason Rudolph whom they’ve been linked to — wouldn’t create a true quarterback competition.
The only problem? There aren’t a lot of candidates. The crop isn’t strong or young this year, with guys like Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, Mike Glennon, and Case Keenum leading the pack of veterans willing to come in and be paid “compete for starter” money. Josh McCown could come in and compete, but are they really going to go after a 38-year-old?