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Denver Broncos: Should a trade for Gardner Minshew be in the cards?

By Patrick Chiotti

Jaguars quarterbacks (16) Trevor Lawrence, (15) Gardner Minshew II and, (9) Logan Cook run through warm up drills during the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp session at the practice fields outside TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL Thursday, July 29, 2021.Jki 072821 Jagsthurstrainingcamp 11
Jaguars quarterbacks (16) Trevor Lawrence, (15) Gardner Minshew II and, (9) Logan Cook run through warm up drills during the Jacksonville Jaguars training camp session at the practice fields outside TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, FL Thursday, July 29, 2021.Jki 072821 Jagsthurstrainingcamp 11 /
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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) bobbles the ball on a late third-quarter scramble for a first down during third quarter action. Minshew caught the bobbled ball and completed his run. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans Sunday, December 13, 2020, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars trailed at the half 17 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew (15) bobbles the ball on a late third-quarter scramble for a first down during third quarter action. Minshew caught the bobbled ball and completed his run. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans Sunday, December 13, 2020, at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jaguars trailed at the half 17 to 3. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] /

What would a trade for Gardner Minshew look like for the Denver Broncos?

If the Broncos were to (hypothetically) trade Teddy Bridgewater to another team, it’s likely that Gardner Minshew might be the next target they want if Drew Lock still doesn’t show the improvements the team needs. Minshew has done more than enough to show he can hang in the NFL as a starting quarterback.

With career numbers sitting at 5,530 passing yards, 37 touchdowns, and only 11 interceptions in 20 career starts, Minshew has been very productive for a sixth-round pick. Minshew has done a fantastic job protecting the ball when passing, but his 18 fumbles are a bit of a concern. All-in-all, Minshew could be a starter somewhere in the NFL. He’s got toughness, a great attitude, limits turnovers when throwing, and his 75.05% career on-target percentage is an upgrade over Drew Lock’s 70.95%.

If George Paton and the Denver Broncos were able to make a trade for Minshew he would likely be able to give Lock, who was drafted in the second round of the same draft, a real run for his money as the Broncos next starting quarterback. The question remains though, what would it cost the Broncos?

Could Tim Patrick be included in a trade for Minshew?

If the Denver Broncos were serious players in a trade for Minshew, the value of the trade could be a tough one to figure out. Bridgewater, a former full-time starter in both Minnesota and Carolina, was traded for a sixth-round pick. Given Minshew’s success as a starter, he likely could garner a third-round selection or two mid-round picks.

One player that could be involved in a potential trade is Denver Broncos wide receiver Tim Patrick. The team brought Patrick back on a second-round tender to prevent him from hitting free agency, but the team will find itself in a tough situation with Courtland Sutton due to get paid.

As of now, Patrick is one of the receivers on the team that could be shipped off in a potential trade. Patrick would make an ideal addition for the Jaguars and their new franchise quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

Over his three-year career in the league, the undrafted Utah product has fought his way onto the roster, but really shined in the 2020 season after Sutton tore his ACL against Pittsburgh in Week 2. Patrick finished the season as one of Lock’s favorite targets, hauling in 51 catches for 742 yards and six touchdowns. Additionally, Patrick didn’t drop a single pass in 2020, making him one of the most reliable receivers in the NFL.

In terms of an actual trade offer for Minshew, it could look something like this if the Broncos included Patrick:

Jacksonville receives – WR Tim Patrick, 2022 fifth-round pick
Denver receives – QB Gardner Minshew

This seems like a decent deal for both sides. According to one person close to the Broncos, Patrick could likely pull in a low second-round pick or a high third-round pick, which makes the value of this trade right around where it should be. The Jaguars get a talented wide receiver for Lawrence to throw to and the Broncos get legitimate competition for the starting job.

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