Jacksonville Jaguars have one ideal QB option in 2019
By Erik Lambert
The Jacksonville Jaguars figure to be the one team that will be aggressive from the start in the quarterback market come 2019, with good reason.
Blake Bortles completely falling apart has exposed this team as one dimension. Opponents have since been able to focus on stopping Leonard Fournette and without him controlling the clock, their defense hasn’t looked anything like they were a season ago. The gamble made by Tom Coughlin to bank on Bortles being able to at least function as a game manager as failed. The only question left is what do they do next?
Gregg Rosenthal of NFL.com seems to think the first order of business is getting their money situation in order as best they can. Jacksonville will have some serious cap issues at the start of next offseason. If they want to get out in front of the rest of the field, they need to have enough money to make something happen.
"“The team could also keep him around as an expensive potential backup, but there’s no question the Jaguars will be in the market for a new starter. With a defense that remains playoff-caliber and a front office that is consistently aggressive, the Jaguars figure to be at the center of quarterback discussions in free agency, trades and the draft. After years of being afraid to provide competition for Bortles, this finally looks like the offseason that the Jaguars replace him.”"
Jacksonville Jaguars have one option if they want to compete in 2019
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There is no doubt that Coughlin is not the sort to simply hit the reset button. He knows this is a team that is built to win now. They have the pieces in place to do it. They just have to find a quarterback that at least gives them a chance to win. Given the feedback about the 2019 draft class, that isn’t going to be their best bet. This means it will either be free agency or a trade as the two options before them.
A trade would be interesting but teams aren’t typically willing to deal top tier quarterbacks unless they’re old or have injury issues. People would like to think Derek Carr would be a possibility. Considering the Raiders already dealt Khalil Mack and Amari Cooper, it certainly can’t be dismissed outright. Even so, the odds are against it.
No the best hope Jacksonville has is if they can get a shot at Teddy Bridgewater. The former Pro Bowler in Minnesota proved last season that he is fully recovered from his devastating knee injury with a stellar preseason in New York. It’s why the New Orleans Saints traded for him before the season began. However, Bridgewater is set to become a free agent and unless the Saints are willing to franchise tag him, it’s unlikely he stays put.
The Jaguars have the best situation for a quarterback to come into and have immediate success. They have a running game, a good offensive line (when healthy) and a talented defense. This is the move they have to make.