Seahawks 2022 QB: The case for adding Gardner Minshew
2022 is going to be an interesting season if you’re a Seahawks fan. The franchise has taken such a drastic turn this week that anything goes as far as quarterback discussion.
I sure wouldn’t have thought on Tuesday morning that I would be trying to talk you into Gardner Minshew as the starting quarterback in Seattle this fall, but things change. I’m not on board with Drew Lock as the starter, that’s for sure.
I would be fine drafting a guy like Malik Willis or Matt Corral, but let’s take some time to examine Gardner. He’s an interesting option that the fanbase has a bit of a fascination with, and I’m here for it.
Gardner Minshew would be a capable starter for the Seahawks in 2022
Let’s begin with the acquisition cost: Gardner is under contract in Philadelphia, but Jalen Hurts is the man there now. I think the Seahawks could lift Minshew from the Eagles for a 5th-round pick. He is due $2.54 million, a truly affordable amount for a stopgap quarterback.
In his limited time as a starting quarterback in this league, he’s shown that he is limited but is a fairly good decision-maker. His touchdown to interception ratio of 41:12 is truly impressive for being a part of the Jacksonville organization for the bulk of his career.
He’s also shown the ability to scramble and has picked up 500 rushing yards across what’s really twenty games as a starter. He’s 25 and will turn 26 before the season begins.
I also believe that if the Waldron offensive scheme continues to develop this year, Minshew would be a fine fit for it. He doesn’t have excellent down-field arm strength, but this offense is supposed to be about getting the ball out of the hands of the quarterback quickly.
According to NFL Next Gen Stats, Minshew had a time to throw nearly a quarter of a second faster than Russell Wilson in his last significant year (2020). If the route trees for guys like DK Metcalf and Noah Fant can be drawn to benefit a guy like Minshew, I’m all for bringing him in. At the very least, it will make watching the games enjoyable.
Next. 3 quarterbacks Seahawks could take at pick number 9. dark
Don’t hear what I’m not saying: I know that Minshew isn’t the answer long-term. This draft class is light on elite quarterback talent, though, and it wouldn’t surprise me if the Seahawks choose to punt on 2022 to build back stronger by the 2023 season.