Minshew Mania heads to Indianapolis as Colts sign QB to one-year deal
After being traded from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this offseason, quarterback Gardner Minshew has once again found a new home in the NFL. The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that they had signed Minshew to a one-year deal.
The move comes after Colts quarterback Carson Wentz was placed on the COVID-19 list, and while it’s unclear how long Wentz will be out, Minshew will provide some much-needed depth behind backup Jacob Eason.
Minshew, who played college football at Washington State, was a sixth-round pick by the Jaguars in the 2019 NFL Draft. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, filling in for an injured Nick Foles and leading the Jaguars to a 6-6 record as a starter.
Minshew’s performance quickly became the talk of the league, as fans embraced his unique fashion sense and mustache. The “Minshew Mania” craze even led to the NFL allowing players to wear personalized cleats with Minshew’s face on them.
In his two seasons in Jacksonville, Minshew started 20 games, completing 501 of 797 passes for 5,530 yards, 37 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. While his numbers weren’t eye-popping, he showed flashes of brilliance and was often praised for his leadership and competitiveness.
The Colts are hoping that Minshew can continue to develop in their system and be a reliable backup option if needed. With Wentz’s injury history and Eason’s lack of experience, having an experienced quarterback like Minshew on the roster could be crucial for the Colts’ playoff hopes.
While Minshew may not be the long-term answer at quarterback for the Colts, he’s certainly a talented player who has proven he can win games in the NFL. And who knows? If Wentz continues to struggle, we may see “Minshew Mania” once again.
