(10-19-2020, 09:23 PM)JagFan81 Wrote:

(10-19-2020, 09:10 PM)mal234 Wrote: I agree. Gardner is currently projected to throw 29 TDs this year. (He is also fourth in passing stats). He might throw more or less. But I could see him being close enough to that projections. I definitely think that some teams out there are willing to give him a chance. There are some that will take someone that can give you like 30Tds and this is in a situation with bad coaching. If he actually had good coaching, he could have even better production.

I already saw someone who I think used to be a media member for the Jags on Twitter, suggest that the Jags trade Gardner to the Cowboys for a third round pick. This was right after Dak got injured. Granted, that isn't going to happen this year, but something like that could happen in the future with a team. If the Jags draft another QB, and a QB on a good team goes down, who knows what could happen regarding a trade for Gardner. 

I could see teams like the Saints/Steelers being interested in him. And others too, possibly depending on when he leaves the Jags. I have liked what I've seen of Cam on the Patriots for the most part, though he had some struggles against the Broncos this past Sunday. Maybe he stays with them for a bit longer. Or maybe a year or two from now, they may look to get another QB. I could see Gardner doing well with Bill Belichick. He works hard and I definitely think that Bill Belichick could get the most out of him. 

If Gardner leaves the Jags after his rookie contract is up, there may be even more options for him. Because I think by that time some more QB's will retire/be very close to retiring. Including Drew Brees, who I think may be gone after this year, possibly Big Ben, and possibly Philip Rivers as well. I did see some Colts fans say they wouldn't mind the Colts looking at Gardner as an option. Though, I don't think that the Jags would trade him to the Colts. If he ended up with them, that would be after his rookie contract is over. Also, by the time his rookie contract is over, some teams may be ready to move on from some other younger QB's who have been struggling. We are already seeing teams move on from young QB's who haven't been given that much of a chance like Dwayne Haskins. So maybe there will be some more open spots for him to possibly getting a starting position that way as well. 

I think whether he's traded or leaves after his rookie contract is up, he will have options/opportunity to possibly start again.

You make so good points about his contract ending. He will still be only 26 when his rookie deal ends and when you look at QB's able to play up to around 40, I think he will feel he still has plenty of time to have a career. Obviously he has limitations but a good coaching staff play to your strengths and hide your weaknesses. His stats from play action are really good, I agree with better coaching and a system more suited to his strengths and he could get you wins. 

Also a good point with the older generation of QBs moving on. Brees, Rodgers, Brady, Ryan, Rivers etc, guys whose names we have heard for years but no one beats the clock. Young QB's can have a very steep grading curve. Bortles, a 1st round pick without a team, Rosen already a backup, are Darnold, Mayfield, Wentz, Goff still going to be at their teams in 5 years...I'm not sure.

Yeah, and his age is another big reason why I don't see Gardner being a long term backup for the Jags. I don't see him at 26 resigning himself to being a longterm/career backup. He will still be young.  I had mentioned this before but he's not someone like a Chase Daniels who only seems to care about making money as a backup and not really starting. And he's not old like a Josh McCown who keeps taking backup spots to get extra money and also mentor. 

And you bring up good points when you mention the current and future canvas of this league. Who knows where some of these QB's will be in a few years. Not only the ones that you mentioned, but even people like Derek Carr, Matthew Stafford, who are still starters but haven't really done a lot with their teams. We could see a lot of shifting/changing of the guard in the next few years. Gardner may be able to fit in there somewhere as a starter for another team.

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