Big Cat Country Q&A: What high-profile free agents should the Jaguars sign?

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Let’s answer some Jacksonville Jaguars questions now that we hold the No. 1 overall pick!

Today we’re talking about 2021 free agents, Mike Glennon starting over Gardner Minshew, and Mark Brunell.

Jake from Mobile, AL

Q: What big name free agents should the Jaguars target?

A: I answered in an earlier Q&A that I’d like the team to look at Matt Judon, Trey Hendrickson, and Justin Simmons — but let’s go a little deeper. I thought Jordan De Lugo over at Generation Jaguar did a good job laying out a full 53-man roster for 2021 and he had a couple of guys I missed. Trent Williams could be a guy they have moderate interest in depending on what they do with Cam Robinson. Kenny Golladay could have a ton of interest what with Chris Conley likely leaving. And if they don’t plan on going after a tight end in the draft, you could do a lot worse than Jonnu Smith.

Max from Jacksonville, FL

Q: Is it worth it to try to win this Sunday’s game against the Indianapolis Colts if there is a possibility of the Jaguars and Jets alternating picks each round in the draft due to having the same record?

A: Yes. It would be hilarious if our only two wins this year were a sweep against the Indianapolis Colts. And keeping Philip Rivers out of the playoffs might be worth all that we’ve endured this season.

Tom from Rapid City, SD

Q: First things first I have been and still am a Gardner Minshew supporter. But with the prospect of Trevor Lawrence coming to town and now Mike Glennon starting again what are the chances that Gardner Minshew is still with the team next year? Where does he end up if he isn’t on the Jaguars? I honestly will be a supporter the whole time he’s in the league but a player like Trevor Lawrence is too good to pass up and get excited about.

A: I see Gardner Minshew’s career looking a lot like Ryan Fitzpatrick. He’s durable, he’s upbeat, and he’s had success in this league even if his ceiling is high-caliber backup. Any team looking for a bridge quarterback to help a rookie along will look his way. He’ll be with the team until his rookie contract runs out but after that... who knows which teams will be drafting quarterbacks in the first round?

Lucas from Jacksonville, FL

Q: What can we do with Trevor Lawrence and everything else we’ll add in the next two years?

A: Become a perennial playoff team.

Mauricio from Monterrey, Mexico

Q: Is 5-11 a realistic expectation for the team in 2021?

A: Yes. My expectations would probably be higher than that, but somewhere around there is what we should expect.

Daniel from London, England

Q: Are we allowed to win this week?

A: We are, Daniel.

Corgiman from Keystone Heights, FL

Q: I don’t get the decision to start Mike Glennon. The season is over. Mike Glennon has no future here. Pick either Gardner Minshew or Jake Luton to see if either stays on as a backup or to draw any trade interest.

A: I think Doug Marrone knows his time in Jacksonville is up after this week and he’s trying to squeeze one more win out of this team. I can’t fault him for it — head coaches are defined by wins and losses. Why would he want to further develop and analyze a player he’s not going to be coaching come February?

Terry from La Cruces, NM

Q: What can we get for Taven Bryan? A 7th round pick? An unsigned Steven Seagal headshot?

A: He’ll probably get the same compensation we received for Leonard Fournette.

Ben from Chicago, IL

Q: I didn’t follow football as a kid in the 1990s’. My only perception of Mark Brunell was his underwhelming run with the team from 2001 to 2003 and then falling into a career backup shortly after.

A: In retrospect, Mark Brunell is probably thought of around Jacksonville as a better quarterback than he was. His name is on the Ring of Honor and in my mind there are only three players who should be up there — Jimmy Smith, Tony Boselli, and Fred Taylor. He was good, don’t get me wrong, but he wasn’t great. He made a few Pro Bowls but never really got All-Pro votes consistently. In my opinion, the 1996 season defines his legacy and is what inflates his status in town. He took every snap that year, he was the NFL passing leader, and his scrambling made him fun and exciting for kids and adults alike. His scramble against the Denver Broncos in the AFC Divisional followed up by his picture perfect throw to Jimmy Smith a few plays later will forever be etched in my mind. If I was watching him now, I’d probably be bogged down by his flaws or something... but as a kid of 10 or 11 years old, he was a hell of a lot of fun to watch.