The Colts signed former Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Gardner Minshew to a one-year, $3.5M deal in 2023. The goal with signing Minshew was to be the backup and mentor to rookie Anthony Richardson. Also, considering that Minshew had extensive time under Shane Steichen, the fit just made sense. Little did the Colts know that this one-year deal would be one of the best offseason trades the Colts made last year. When Richardson went down with season-ending shoulder surgery, Gardner Minshew was called upon to be the starting quarterback for the team. In 13 starts, he ended the season one drive away from leading the Colts to their first division title since 2018.
The backup quarterback role proved to be an important asset for many teams across the league. However, the one team that had the best backup was the Colts. Regardless of the opposing defense, there was never a doubt that Minshew could manage the game and deliver for his team. Now that his one-year deal has ended, he will and should be looking to start somewhere else.
Why Gardner Minshew Deserves to Be a Starting Quarterback
Minshew’s Early-on Success as a Starter
2023 was not the first time that Gardner Minshew suited up to start games in the NFL. In his 2019 rookie season, Minshew stepped into the lineup in week one after starting quarterback Nick Foles injured his collarbone. In his debut, Minshew set an NFL record for completion percentage in a single game at 88%. Throughout his rookie year, he showed flashes of brilliance. After a few short weeks in Jacksonville, “Minshew Mania” was born. Aside from his fun off-the-field antics, his overall production on the field made Jaguars fans and coaches believe he can play quarterback at a high level. In 12 starts as a rookie, Minshew went 6-6 and finished with 21 TDs, 6 INTs, and 3,271 yards. He also maintained a 91.2 passer rating that ranked above the league average.
Unfortunately, entering his second year in the league, Minshew struggled to win games despite putting up better numbers. The Jaguars struggled to win games so badly that they earned the number one overall pick in 2021. To the fortune of the Jaguars, though, top college recruit Trevor Lawrence was on the table. With his generational talent at the time, he could not be overlooked. Therefore, Minshew was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles. There, he spent two years behind Jalen Hurts and under the coaching of Shane Steichen.
Minshew’s Production Compared to Other Starters
The 2023 season was the most successful season of Minshew’s career. With a 7-6 record, he finished with 3,305 yards for 15 TDs, 9 INTs. He would also finish with a completion percentage of 62.2% and earn his first Pro Bowl appearance. Among the 66 quarterbacks who started at least one game in 2023, Minshew ranked 17th in yards per game, 24th in average yards per pass, and 13th in his adjusted QBR of 59.6.
Minshew’s talent and impact indicate he can be a permanent starting quarterback in this league. As much as Indy would love to see him stay, the price to keep him might not be worth it. Not to mention that Minshew has the potential to make more money as a starter and would be wise to explore his options. This league has many teams that need a solid starting quarterback.
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