Do the Jacksonville Jaguars have a back-up quarterback problem?
Are they in deep trouble if starter Trevor Lawrence misses extended (or any) time this season?
Is Nick Mullens still the answer in the eyes and minds of the Jaguars’ decisions makers?
After the Jaguars’ 24-20 win over the New Orleans Saints on Aug. 15, the knee-jerk responses are:
Yes, they have a problem. … Of course the Jaguars are in trouble if Lawrence is hurt (but so is basically every NFL team when their starter is down). … And, um, probably.
Mullens was 3-of-7 passing for 33 yards and one interception over three possessions of work against the Saints. The pro-Nick folks will cite the offensive line he was working behind (no projected Week 1 starters).
But the eye test was concerning.
Mullens had 17-yard completions to rookie receivers Josh Cameron (off a bootleg) and CJ Williams (well-thrown out route).
But his interception was Basic Quarterbacking 101, when he didn’t use his eyes to get linebacker Jaylan Ford out of the throwing lane, allowing Ford to easily intercept the skinny post intended for Cameron. On the second drive, Mullens took a sack when it appeared he had room to scramble to his right. And on the third drive, Mullens threw incomplete into traffic.
It wasn’t pretty.
OK, let’s assess the Jaguars’ options for the No. 2 quarterback spot …
Option 1: Do nothing
Mullens has started 20 NFL games and is familiar with the system after playing with San Francisco and Minnesota. Plus, he has earned the trust of Lawrence, coach Liam Coen and offensive coordinator Grant Udinski (who was on the Vikings’ staff when Mullens was there).
This is the most likely scenario.
Option 2: Open up internal competition
Meh, I don’t think this solves the problem.
Carter Bradley was 10-of-17 passing for 105 yards and one touchdown and interception apiece after replacing Mullens and playing into the fourth quarter. Rookie Joey Aguilar completed his only attempt for 43 yards to set up the winning touchdown. Based on the run Bradley got against the Saints, I expect Aguilar to play more against the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 22.
Assessing Bradley’s game is difficult because he was playing with back-of-the-depth-chart players in the second half. Of course, he would look better if he had the main offensive guys on the field with him.
Bradley and obviously Aguilar have never played an NFL regular-season snap.
An internal competition for No. 2 quarterback is unlikely.
Option 3: Wait for waiver wire
I don’t like this one, either.
Let’s say the Jaguars are ready to move on from Mullens and want to add a No. 2 from outside the organization. Well, Aug. 30 is the cut-down date and waiver claims are submitted the next day.
If the new quarterback gets to Jacksonville on Sept. 1, that leaves three practices (Sept. 2-4) before the mandatory Labor Day Weekend break to start to get a handle on the playbook ahead of the Sept. 13 opener against the Cleveland Browns. A tough ask for the player and the coaching staff.
Pass on this option.
Option 4: Make a trade
Now, we’re talking.
If the Jaguars feel they have an issue, they should be on the phones this week to swing a late-round pick and get a new player in here pronto.
I canvassed every NFL quarterback depth chart and for sure the pickings are slim, but …
What if the Los Angeles Rams commit to rookie Ty Simpson as the back-up to Matthew Stafford? The Jaguars should call on Stetson Bennett.
What if the Chicago Bears go with only Tyson Bagent as the back-up to Caleb Williams? That would make veteran Case Keenum available.
What if the Saints stick with Spencer Rattler as the back-up to Tyler Shough? Zach Wilson looked really sharp against the Jaguars.
What if the Philadelphia Eagles keep Tanner McKee as the back-up to Jalen Hurts? Andy Dalton, anybody?
And, let’s get wild folks, what if the Arizona Cardinals move Carson Beck up to the second team behind Jacoby Brissett? Right this way, Gardner Minshew!
The prediction: The Jaguars ride it out with Mullens.
Other Jaguars-related notes from the Saints game …
Thirty-one Jaguars don’t play
The didn’t-play list of Jaguars players numbered 31.
It was notable that DT Matt Dickerson and RB Ameer Abdullah didn’t play.
Dickerson isn’t a surprise; he’s been working ahead of Ruke Orhorhoro the entire camp. I don’t get the hue and cry and surprise about Dickerson being on the second line of the depth chart and Orhorhoro on the third line. Dickerson is better.
Notable snap counts
Offense (out of 68 snaps): RG Wyatt Milum 11, C Jonah Monheim 11, TE Nate Boerkircher 16, TE Tyler Koziol 11, WR Josh Cameron 26, WR CJ Williams 30, LG Emmanuel Pregnon 32.
Defense (out of 66 snaps): CB Jabbar Muhammad 61, S Jalen Huskey 33, S Caleb Ransaw 31, DT Albert Regis 29, DE B.J. Green 29, DE Danny Striggow 26, LB Ventrell Miller 23, DE Wesley Williams 22, LB Branson Combs 17.
Notes: Chuma Edoga started at right tackle, but was injured (lower body) on the first offensive snap when he was folded up on a run play. … LT Geron Christian played all 68 snaps, followed by RG/RT Ricky Lee (57) and C Sam Mustipher 57. Among the skill-position players, RB J’Mari Taylor led with 44 snaps. … Muhammad led the defensive players. LB Jahlani Tavai was next with 52, followed by CBs Corey Ballentine and Chrstian Braswell with 37 apiece. … LB Yasir Abdullah led the special teams with 15 snaps, followed by Muhammad and Striggow with 14 apiece.
Eight penalties for Jaguars
Offense: OL Jimto Obidegwu (false start, false start), OL Geron Christian (false start), OL Ricky Lee (holding) and C Sam Mustipher (holding).
Defense: CB Jabbar Muhammad (pass interference, pass interference) and DB Devon Marshall (holding).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Do Jacksonville Jaguars have back-up quarterback problem?
Reporting by Ryan O’Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union / Florida Times-Union
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By Ryan O'Halloran, Jacksonville Florida Times-Union | USA TODAY Network
