Anyone else think Gardner has actually become somewhat underrated? Maybe it’s people not caring about Indy, but he’s having a decent season for a back up.

With how bad QB play is around the league (Fields, Wilson, Pickett, DeVito, Bryce, Mac, etc.) I’d wager a lot of teams would love someone who’s competent, tough, accurate, somewhat mobile and a leader like Minshew. He doesn’t have a big arm, he doesn’t have high end athletic traits, he’s short, etc., but the guy can play some football and help a good team stay above water.

His rookie season was great in my eyes. The stats were honestly really good. Say what you want, but that Jags team also wasn’t very good. Watching a guy like Bryce Young play, who I’ll admit is probably in an even worse situation than Minshew was in with the Jags, really puts things into perspective of how rare it is to have a QB who’s competent and not horrendous.

Is he a star? Absolutely not. Is he a franchise guy? Nah. Is he an extremely high end back up / bridge QB? Honestly yes.

Curious as to what everyone’s thoughts are. I know he’s been a topic of discussion in the past but it seems like he isn’t talked about anymore even though he’s winning some games for a decent Indy team and not looking bad in the process. Not advocating for him to be “the guy”, that’s Richardson based on tools and potential, but I think guys like Minshew are insanely valuable.

  • fuzzynavel34@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    He’s a very good backup but that’s what he is. Way too many turnovers to ever be an actual starter

  • yerbamategoat@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    His performances in the Cowboys and Saints games last year could not have been more hot/cold. He’s a great backup but definitely not a franchise guy long term

  • AleroRatking@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    As someone who watches every Indy game he is not the reason we are winning at all but he does help keep us from losing. our offensive line has been insane this year and Pittman catches everything. The defense front 7 has also been really good (although our secondary, specifically corners are not). Minshew is the ideal backup QB. He does enough to keep you in the game with only one or two big mistakes per game. But he is absolutely not a long term starter.

  • DavidOrWalter@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    Anyone else think Gardner has actually become somewhat underrated? Maybe it’s people not caring about Indy, but he’s having a decent season for a back up.

    He’s a bad QB - maybe he’s backup quality but you don’t want him starting.

    Watch his game against the Patriots and he is single handedly trying to lose that game by running around and bailing on pockets for absolutely no reason. He is forcing his linemen to block for 8 seconds then he tried to chuck it off balance and makes awful throws.

  • bleedblue4@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    He does some pretty infuriating things. That being said he’s done pretty good given the situation

  • Significance_Scary@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    He is due for some dumb mistakes every game but he is one of the better backups in the NFL. Not bad for a 6th rounder.

  • Defender_Of_TheCrown@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    He is an above average backup. Makes some good throws. Makes some horrible ones. Shouldn’t be a starter long term but neither should Justin Fields.

  • GerardShekler@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I think there are alot of back up QBs like that. Take Jacoby Brissett for example. I feel like he should’ve been a starter for some QB transitions but who knows.

  • CmonnowSally@alien.topB
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    1 year ago

    I was very impressed with the way he quarterbacked against the ravens, and he only threw for like 175 yards. It’s not gonna show up on the stat sheet, but he is a general on that team, and a dawg.