Gardner Minshew II: Can He Take The Starting Job from Nick Foles?

As the Jacksonville Jaguars drove down the field for a game-tying touchdown against the Houston Texans, there was a spark in the offense most have not seen before: A confident, explosive quarterback.

Gardner Minshew II lead the Jaguars on a 14 play drive to bring the Jaguars within one point in the final seconds. He scrambled, avoided the rush, and kept his head up as a receiver popped open in the back of the endzone. There was a flare in Minshew II that had been missing from the quarterback position in Jacksonville, which would be a dual-threat quarterback.

As Nick Foles rehabs from his broken collarbone suffered last week, Jaguars fans can rest assure their team will continue to compete this season with Minshew II at quarterback. Minshew II was 22 for 32, 213 yards and 1 touchdown on the evening against a determined Texans defense primed to stifle the first-year quarterback. Using his legs to get out of the pocket, quick throws against man coverage allowed Minshew II to stay away from interceptions and find open targets to move down the field.

Even with the Jaguars unable to convert of a two-point conversion to take the lead, Jacksonville fans can be confident this team is willing to take risks to win the game. With Foles sidelined for the forseeable, Minshew II could the reigns as starter, even when Foles returns. Or, if nothing else, could be in line for a team looking to strike for a young quarterback on the trade market.

Photo Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports