Jaguars expect ‘big jump’ from QB Gardner Minshew after trading Nick Foles to Bears

© Gary Lloyd McCullough Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) scrambles right during the second half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Chargers at TIAA Bank Field, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019 in Jacksonville, Fla. [Gary Lloyd McCullough/For The Florida Times-Union]

As a rookie last season, quarterback Gardner Minshew raised his level of play beyond what anyone expected for an unheralded sixth-round draft pick.

He showed superb mobility to escape from the pocket to avoid sacks and thrived in the big moments by leading the Jaguars to three fourth-quarter, come-from-behind victories.

Minshew had a higher passer rating (91.2) than last year's No. 1 overall selection Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals (87.4).

And Minshew's 21 touchdown passes and 3,271 yards were the most in franchise history by a rookie.

Now, coach Doug Marrone is raising the scale after the Jaguars traded Nick Foles to the Chicago Bears.

Marrone expects to see more steadiness from Minshew — more touchdown passes, better success in the red zone and fewer lost fumbles than the seven he had in 2019 —tied for second-most among quarterbacks.

"Well, I think, obviously, we want to see a big jump,'' Marrone said. "Obviously, it's going to be some new things that we're going to have to learn, but Gardner ... works at a really high level, so I'm not concerned about that.''

The Jaguars are rebuilding and everything rides on Minshew flourishing in Year II.

With Foles gone, it's Minshew's team now.

If the Jaguars succeed, Minshew will likely draw the most credit.

If they flop, he will be the focal point of what went wrong.

Over the past six seasons, the Jaguars haven't exactly gotten it right at quarterback.

They misjudged Blake Bortles' potential, and he sputtered in five seasons as a starter.

Last year, the Jaguars made a big splash in free agency by signing Foles, a former Super Bowl MVP with the Philadelphia Eagles, to a four-year, $88 million contract.

After Foles suffered a broken collarbone in the season opener against Kansas City, Minshew stepped in, performed adequately and surged as a fan favorite.

When Foles returned in November, he couldn't establish the form that he showed with the Eagles.

Instead, Minshew showed he was more impactful behind an underperforming offensive line. He went 6-6 as a starter. Foles went 0-4.

"For what Gardner did last year as a rookie, I think was very impressive,'' Jaguars general manager Dave Caldwell said. "He was .500 in the games he started – 20-plus touchdowns, low interception rate. It felt like he had probably the best stats of any rookie quarterback last year.''

Minshew will look to develop quickly under new new offensive coordinator Jay Gruden and quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo.

Minshew won't have a veteran quarterback to lean on like he had with Foles. Minshew and backup Joshua Dobbs, who has played only five games since 2017, are the only quarterbacks left on the Jaguars' roster.

The Jaguars could select a quarterback in the April 23-25 draft to develop behind Minshew.

''I think if you don't have that [veteran quarterback on roster], then where are you going to make up for it? The position coach has to make up for that,'' Marrone said.''It has to have that type of relationship that you can calm him down or pick him up when he needs to be and things of that nature. As far as Gardner and Josh, as far as how they are, as far as their work ethic and how they study, no issues with that.''

The offseason program for the Jaguars and the 31 other NFL teams has been postponed indefinitely because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Jaguars' plan going forward is to put more playmakers around Minshew, which is expected to be addressed in the upcoming draft.

In free agency, they upgraded their tight end position by signing former Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Eifert.

Eifert has struggled with injuries but didn't miss a game last season and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2015 when he caught 13 touchdown passes.

''The one thing about offense is you always want playmakers and you're always looking,'' Marrone said. ''I don't know that I've ever heard said, 'Oh my gosh, we have enough.' It's one of those things that you never have enough. It's like chocolate chip cookies. There's never enough in the house for me."

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