Jaguars 2021 Roster Outlook: Quarterback room could be shaken up

Believe it or not, free agency for the 2021 NFL season starts in about a week. Typically we’d be drowning in rumors that started to percolate during the week of the NFL Combine, but there was not an NFL Combine this season. It’s going to come hot and fast, so lets take a run through the Jacksonville Jaguars position groups and see where they could add pieces in free agency.

Who is staying?

The Jaguars currently have both Gardner Minshew and Jake Luton under contract for the 2021 season.

Who is leaving?

Mike Glennon is the only quarterback from the Jaguars 2020 roster who is currently a pending unrestricted free agent. It’s also possible the Jaguars move someone like Gardner Minshew if the right offer is out there and if there is another veteran they add in free agency.

Who could be added?

We know for sure that the Jaguars are going to be adding Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick. Yes, we’re sure. No, they’re not thinking about any of the other quarterbacks. But, this is about free agency not the draft.

There are a number of options in free agency at the quarterback position that could pique the Jaguars interests. Veterans like Andy Dalton, Alex Smith, Jacoby Brissett, Tyrod Taylor, Cam Newton and C.J. Beathard.

What makes sense?

The Jaguars aren’t going to be in the market for someone like Dak Prescott and I find someone like Cam Newton hard to see, as I think Newton likely still wants to start. If the Jaguars end up signing a veteran quarterback in free agency, it’s going to be someone who is comfortable being a backup and knowing what their role is going to be; assist in helping Lawrence acclimate to the NFL game. Alex Smith makes perfect sense for this due to his obvious connection to Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer and it’s likely Smith knows his days as an NFL starter are behind him.

This also makes someone like Jacoby Brissett an interesting option as well, though his connection to Meyer is pretty loose. Brissett joined the University of Florida the season after Meyer left, but it’s not hard to imagine Meyer knows about him, recruited him and offered him a grayshirt at Florida. Brissett has been an OK starter in the NFL and would be a great backup, but also has experienced a lot of what the NFL is about and could help Lawrence settle in.

Other options like Dalton and Taylor make sense in that regard as well.