If you didn't know any better, you might think the Jaguars used the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 draft on something other than a quarterback. Despite adding heralded Clemson product Trevor Lawrence as the future face of the franchise, coach Urban Meyer has refused to name Lawrence the starting signal-caller all offseason. Now, with Jacksonville set to kick off its regular season in just over three weeks, Meyer has revealed when he intends to declare a winner of the team's QB "competition."
Asked Friday whether Lawrence and returning veteran Gardner Minshew will be battling for the team's No. 1 job through the Jaguars' third and final preseason game on Aug. 29, Meyer told reporters he's aiming for an earlier decision: "In theory, it could," he said, "but I would rather not." In other words, if all goes according to plan, the Jags will name their Week 1 QB at some point after Monday, when the club visits the Saints for its second preseason game.
Meyer would not name a starter for Monday's game but acknowledged the Jags need to get Lawrence, the presumptive front runner, more live reps. Earlier in the day, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell indicated the rookie was likely to start against the Saints, as he did against the Browns to open the preseason.
Minshew, for what it's worth, has spoken publicly about his desire to steal the starting job, which he held for much of 2019-20. But it's possible, if not probable, the Jaguars are merely attempting to boost his trade value while granting him preseason snaps as Lawrence's chief competition.
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