The Jacksonville Jaguars have named Nick Foles the starter over backup rookie Gardner Minshew now that their QB1 is healthy again and ready to hit the field. Foles suffered a broken clavicle in the team's Week 1 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Minshew is not your average backup, though. He helped lead the team to its 4-5 record, but he also created a movement.
Yes, we are talking about Minshew Mania. When Minshew and his mustache hit the field for his first regular season game, Jaguars fans fell in love with him. Now that Foles, a Super Bowl champion is the starter, Minshew Mania has come to an end.
As we mourn no longer seeing Minshew under center, let's take a moment to remember the good old days and some of the best Minshew Mania memories. Grab the tissues.
His first win
Minshew's first win seems as good a place as any to start, since that's when Jaguars fans, forever optimistic, began to see a glimmer of hope of someone who could be their answer at QB. In a Week 3 Thursday Night Football matchup against divisional opponent Tennessee Titans, Minshew went 20 for 30 with 204 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. The Jaguars had won their first game of the season, beating the Titans at home.
And so the mania began.
Nick Foles has regained his starting gig from Gardner Minshew and there's a lot to go over. Fortunately, Will Brinson and the Pick Six Podcast Superfriends are here to break down that news, as well as Cam Newton going on IR and more. Listen below and be sure to subscribe for daily NFL goodness fired into your eardrums.
Gardner Minshew: Fashion Icon
He is a quarterback first, but a trendsetter as a close second.
Whether jorts and mustaches should be brought back is up for debate, but Minshew managed to do it and they immediately became his signature look. Plus, the sunglasses and headband, of course.
Jorts are in. 👖 ✂️
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) September 22, 2019
Welcome back, @GardnerMinshew5!@WSUCougarFB | #Pac12FB pic.twitter.com/zAjfTfs3j2
He cuts many of his own jorts himself, so if the NFL doesn't work out "Project Runway" might be his next move.
It was 50 and drizzling in Pullman today, but jorts/aviator season runs year-round for Gardner Minshew. Photos: @tylertjomsland. pic.twitter.com/QgsJXCK6C4
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) April 5, 2019
Fans showed up at games looking like their QB and many dressed themselves, or their kids, as Minshew for Halloween this year. Once you've become a Halloween costume, that's when you know you've made it.
Halloween done right. Just too cold for the jorts! Future Coug!!#miniminshew @GardnerMinshew5 @WSUCougarFB pic.twitter.com/CPuODQGNkJ
— Denise Ricard (@neacie) October 28, 2019
The mustache giveaway
In honor of their Minshew's growing fandom, the Jaguars gave away 35,000 mustaches to the first fans who arrive at the stadium ahead of a home game in October. Along with the mustaches, they had 10 Minshew jerseys to give away for people who wore cutoff jorts to the game.
Minshew Mania revs up into high gear Sunday with the NFL and Jaguars giving out 35,000 mustaches to fans. Ten fans who cut their jeans into “jorts” will receive Minshew jerseys as well. Mustaches just arrived in Jax. Get ‘em while they’re hot. pic.twitter.com/1QQneKz9pA
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 11, 2019
What's better than one Minshew? 35,001 Minshews.
Meeting Uncle Rico
People immediately compared the quarterback's look to that of Uncle Rico, and they finally were able to meet creating a rather fantastic photo. Gardner Minshew, meet Gardner Minshew in the future.
Gardner Minshew, meet Uncle Rico 😂
— The MMQB (@theMMQB) September 26, 2019
📷 @Jaguars pic.twitter.com/lM3SoBImzq
A legendary start
Minshew was more than just a mustache. He had a historic start to his career. The quarterback had the highest completion percentage (73.8) and the highest passer rating (110.6) for any QB through their first three games with a minimum of 30 pass attempts.
Offensive Rookie of the Month
Thanks to the impressive start, the sixth-round draft pick took home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month award in September. That month, in four games, he went 84 of 121 for 905 yards, threw seven touchdowns and one interception with a passer rating of 106.9.
He is only the second player in NFL history with a rating of at least 95.0 in each of his first four games.
Fantasy free agent Minshew
Despite his impressive start, Minshew was a free agent in his own fantasy football league. Clearly, his friends found better options at QB, or were trying to mess with him.
"Bet on yourself"
Minshew might be a character off the field, but his NFL journey was far from easy. He lives by the motto, "If you bet on yourself you'll always be right" and it has led him to success in a league many people thought he would never make it in.
“Bet on yourself” — words that Gardner Minshew lives by
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 25, 2019
Before the NFL Draft, he opened up about his long journey from walk-on to Washington State standout. pic.twitter.com/LWzXZf3kIx
Highlights
Here's a look at some of Minshew's highlights from his time starting under center for the Jags:
ALL EFFORT from the Mississippi Mustache. 👨 @GardnerMinshew5
— NFL (@NFL) November 3, 2019
📺: #HOUvsJAX on @nflnetwork
Watch now on your 📱: https://t.co/mNcUQz4KgW
How to watch on any device: https://t.co/12CyKg442X pic.twitter.com/z3MB9MwmIZ
Three touchdowns.
— NFL (@NFL) October 31, 2019
279 yards.
And a WIN!
The @GardnerMinshew5 legend continues in Jacksonville! @Jaguars | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/4tk5D077xM
Gardner Minshew's first TD of the day was an absolute dime 🎯
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) October 6, 2019
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/QCK5P5SRRT
Minshew Mania may be over for now, but it will always be close to our hearts. We hope to see it again, but until then, it's Nick Foles time in Jacksonville.