Gardner Minshew and Patrick Mahomes have had very different experiences for most of their careers, now they aim to have a similar one.
Gardner Minshew hasn’t had the perfect NFL career, but there are plenty of highlights. Whether it was his trend-setting personality or his production on the field, there are plenty of reasons Minshew has received a spotlight over the years.
Initially, it was his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars that turned heads. Gardner Minshew’s time in 2019 was known as “Minshew Mania” due to a series of comebacks and wins in unlikely scenarios. However, Minshew ultimately didn’t work out, becoming a journeyman backup. Still, he found another way into the spotlight.
As a member of the Indianapolis Colts, he helped the team stay afloat in 2023, going 7-6 as their backup quarterback. Trying to replicate his early career success years later was a tall task. However, his first-ever game with the Jaguars was perhaps the tallest task ever asked of him. In his first start ever, he faced Patrick Mahomes.
Gardner Minshew’s memory of debuting against Patrick Mahomes
According to Chiefs Wire, Gardner Minshew was asked in a recent press conference on Zoom about what he remembered about facing the Tom Brady of the modern NFL era.
“I don’t remember much. It was a blur. I remember going into the game, not expecting to play, just happy to be on the team. Unfortunately, Nick [Foles] got hurt like 12 plays in, and I went in. I remember me and my dad sitting down for dinner after, and we’re like, what the heck just happened? It was unbelievable; that was an unbelievable experience.”
Minshew’s first start came in Week 1 2019 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The quarterback lost the game, but ultimately ended with a respectable production total. Per Pro Football Reference, Minshew completed 22 of 25 passes for 275 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception.
The Chiefs won the game by a final score of 40-26. Had the Jaguars defense locked up Mahomes more, Minshew might have had a chance.
Gardner Minshew’s place with Chiefs in 2025
Of course, fast forward to 2025, and the Kansas City Chiefs have a new backup quarterback. After things went down in flames in Las Vegas, Minshew was added to the Chiefs organization to help Mahomes.
Looking ahead to 2025, Minshew won’t have to worry about the pressure of a starting quarterback competition, but he might need to confirm his place behind Mahomes with a competition against Bailey Zappe.
Either way, Minshew’s ultimate goal will be to help Mahomes however he can and remain ready in the case that Mahomes can’t finish a game. Will the former Raiders, Jaguars, Colts, and Eagles quarterback have another memorable run in Kansas City?
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