Urban Meyer seemingly took the tough guy approach with the Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback conversation.
Trevor Lawrence was drafted No. 1 overall and was obviously going to start, but Gardner Minshew was still getting first-team reps.
Meyer tried to make it a competition, however, the inevitable was announced Wednesday.
The Jaguars are going with Lawrence as expected.
#Jaguars coach Urban Meyer made the inevitable official: QB Trevor Lawrence will start Week 1.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2021
Is anyone surprised?
Everyone Knew This Was Coming
Imagine the outrage if the Jaguars went with Minshew in Week 1.
He would have to put up legendary numbers to avoid criticism and even then, everyone in the organization would still be waiting for Lawrence.
The Jaguars are probably not going to be very good this year and 2021 is all about development for the rookie.
The hope is he can actually play a full season, unlike last year’s No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow who was lost to a major knee injury during the year.
One could make the argument Minshew should start until the offensive line improves.
The competition is over.
No. 1 pick Trevor Lawrence has won the QB1 job in Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/9Jj28qJKRr
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) August 25, 2021
However, there is no guarantee that happens and better quarterback play could enhance the results of the protection up front.
Minshew was not even some former franchise quarterback anyway.
The 2019 sixth-round pick was thrust into a starting role as a rookie because of an injury to Nick Foles and while he played well, the team still used a top overall pick on a different quarterback.
That decision spelled the end of Minshew’s starting chances in Jacksonville.
Meyer Coming To His Senses
Meyer showed up in Jacksonville with a ton of star power and a demeanor proving he is ready to win.
Well, there is a reason the job was open in the first place.
Playing around with the starting quarterback decision was not going to help the team at all and it was wise to just get it done and move forward.
Lawrence can now get all the first-team reps and Minshew can settle into the backup role.
Tim Tebow is no longer around either so it would appear Meyer is making this a normal NFL team at this point.
He just must still realize expectations should remain low this year.
No NFL team enters a season ready to lose, but that may be what it takes for the Jaguars to develop properly and turn things around.
This is a team with one playoff berth over the past decade, so baby steps will be needed after bottoming out in 2020.
NEXT: Jaguars May Have Lost Travis Etienne For The Season