Anyone else think Gardner has actually become somewhat underrated? Maybe it’s people not caring about Indy, but he’s having a decent season for a back up.
With how bad QB play is around the league (Fields, Wilson, Pickett, DeVito, Bryce, Mac, etc.) I’d wager a lot of teams would love someone who’s competent, tough, accurate, somewhat mobile and a leader like Minshew. He doesn’t have a big arm, he doesn’t have high end athletic traits, he’s short, etc., but the guy can play some football and help a good team stay above water.
His rookie season was great in my eyes. The stats were honestly really good. Say what you want, but that Jags team also wasn’t very good. Watching a guy like Bryce Young play, who I’ll admit is probably in an even worse situation than Minshew was in with the Jags, really puts things into perspective of how rare it is to have a QB who’s competent and not horrendous.
Is he a star? Absolutely not. Is he a franchise guy? Nah. Is he an extremely high end back up / bridge QB? Honestly yes.
Curious as to what everyone’s thoughts are. I know he’s been a topic of discussion in the past but it seems like he isn’t talked about anymore even though he’s winning some games for a decent Indy team and not looking bad in the process. Not advocating for him to be “the guy”, that’s Richardson based on tools and potential, but I think guys like Minshew are insanely valuable.
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Minshew could be a started on about 50% of NFL teams.
He is due for some dumb mistakes every game but he is one of the better backups in the NFL. Not bad for a 6th rounder.
He should be starting
He is an above average backup. Makes some good throws. Makes some horrible ones. Shouldn’t be a starter long term but neither should Justin Fields.
I think there are alot of back up QBs like that. Take Jacoby Brissett for example. I feel like he should’ve been a starter for some QB transitions but who knows.
I was very impressed with the way he quarterbacked against the ravens, and he only threw for like 175 yards. It’s not gonna show up on the stat sheet, but he is a general on that team, and a dawg.
Gardner Minshew (11 G): 1,972 Passing Yards, | 179 Pass YDs / Game | 8 TD | 7 INT | 63.0% CMP | 6.6 Y/A | 6.1 AY/A | 81.4 Passer Rating | 17 Sacks | 50 Yards Rushing | 6 Fumbles | [2,032 Total Yards 13 Turnovers / 184 yards a game]
Justin Fields (8 G): 1,587 Passing Yards | 198 Pass YDs / Game, | 12 TD | 6 INT | 64.4 CMP% | 7.1 Y/A | 7.0 AY/A | 92.3 Passer Rating | 29 Sacks | 400 Rushing Yards | 7 Fumbles | [1,987 Total Yards and 13 Turnovers / 248 yards a game]
I want to sign him to a long term backup contract.
Most likely not going to elevate a team but can absolutely make a team like Cleveland legit Super Bowl contenders. I really don’t think he’s behind Dalton or carr or any other middling qb who’s gotten big money in their career.
He’s another Fitzpatrick.
He’s good enough to be on a good team and not super screw up, but he’s not putting a team on his back for an entire season.
With luck, the name Minshew will be thrown around positively for another 15 years as he earns a ton of money as a great back up who can come in and help close out some games.
He’s good enough to be on a good team and not super screw up
I don’t think he can do this. I think it is in his nature to try and play hero ball and will do it even when nothing about the game or that play dictates he has to do anything but execute it normally. This leads to turnovers.
He’s just not very good, regardless of how oddly interesting he is as a person.
The NFL needs another lovable journeyman who we all root for, even though we know he’s not elite. Just very good.
Yup I’ve been saying this. Minshew Magic/Fitzmagic is realy
And then 10 years after that he’s one of the bright young coaches in the league.
People forget he was supposed to intern for Saban at Alabama before Leach got him to transfer to Wazzu
He’s our 1995 Jim Harbaugh
What kind of name is Gardner? I thought that was a hobby.
As someone who watches every Indy game he is not the reason we are winning at all but he does help keep us from losing. our offensive line has been insane this year and Pittman catches everything. The defense front 7 has also been really good (although our secondary, specifically corners are not). Minshew is the ideal backup QB. He does enough to keep you in the game with only one or two big mistakes per game. But he is absolutely not a long term starter.
Anyone else think Gardner has actually become somewhat underrated? Maybe it’s people not caring about Indy, but he’s having a decent season for a back up.
He’s a bad QB - maybe he’s backup quality but you don’t want him starting.
Watch his game against the Patriots and he is single handedly trying to lose that game by running around and bailing on pockets for absolutely no reason. He is forcing his linemen to block for 8 seconds then he tried to chuck it off balance and makes awful throws.
His performances in the Cowboys and Saints games last year could not have been more hot/cold. He’s a great backup but definitely not a franchise guy long term