Big Cat Country Q&A: Is Gardner Minshew playing well enough to stay in at quarterback once Nick Foles gets back?

Let’s answer some questions after the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Week 7 win against the Cincinnati Bengals!

Austen from Fleming Island, FL

Q: Were Gardner Minshew and the Jaguars good? Or were the Bengals just horrible?

A: More of the latter. The Jaguars offense, specifically Gardner Minshew, did not look great in the first half of Sunday’s game. The Bengals, one of the worst defenses in the league, was stifling this offense. But then Minshew calmed down, set his feet in the pocket, and put together a couple of good drives to help out the run game. This was a win, and a good win at that because it was on the road, but it wasn’t the bounce back game I was hoping for from Minshew.

Ryhan from Birmingham, UK

Q: What do you think Jaguars’ record will be at end of regular season and what do you have the record of the other AFC South teams to be?

A: I think the Jaguars finish 8-8. I have the Colts at 11-5, Texans at 9-7, and Titans at 6-10.

Brian from Yulee, FL

Q: Teams have made adjustments to Gardner Minshew. What adjustments can the Jaguars make to further improve our passing game?

A: As far as offensive scheme goes, I think it’s all there for Gardner Minshew to succeed. He largely has so far this season. He just needs more time and better pass protectors on the offensive line. The wide receivers are overperforming. The run game (and Leonard Fournette) are playing great. Minshew just needs an offseason where he is the guy and he needs a tight end he can use as a safety valve.

Vadonkey from Midlothian, VA

Q: What is the secret to Josh Lambo’s hair? We need to know!

A: I do too! (I’ll ask him.)

Elliott from Charleston, SC

Q: How do we fix the offensive line?

A: Help is not on the way. Like Gardner Minshew, they just need more time. And we need to plug a hole or two in free agency and the NFL Draft next spring.

Kyle from Fredericksburg, VA

Q: What’s up with our red zone offense? Wasn’t that John DeFilippo’s specialty for Philadelphia?

A: I don’t know. I wish I did, but I don’t. I think it’s a combination of a rookie quarterback, the lack of a good pass-catching tight end, and an inconsistent offensive line that can run block their asses off in space but struggle near the goal line.

Kevin from Charleston, SC

Q: What are your thoughts on Tre Herndon?

A: He has done better than I thought he would. I’m excited to see his development over the second half of the season.

Brandon from Rochester, NY

Q: Is Gardner Minshew playing well enough to stay in at quarterback once Nick Foles gets back?

A: Yes, but that’s not what will lead to a (likely) quarterback change. This front office and coaching staff need wins and they need whatever excuse they can have in their arsenal for why they should be back next season. Despite the fact that Gardner Minshew has been playing well enough to ride out the rest of the season and develop, Nick Foles is still marginally better and he gives you a slightly better chance to win. He could be the difference between a losing season and a .500 season. It’s not what’s best for the long-term, but that’s not how coaches and front office executives think — they look out for their jobs.

Gav from Oxford, UK

Q: Given how he’s played so far this year, and the apparent big change in his attitude, when do we have to start thinking about paying Leonard Fournette?

A: If I were the Jaguars, I’d already be thinking about it.

Chris from Jacksonville, FL

Q: What are the chances Yannick Ngakoue gets traded by the deadline?

A: About the same as Jalen Ramsey signing a long-term extension with the Jaguars.