Gardner Minshew II presents an interesting combination of being both a safe and risky choice for a starting quarterback position. On one hand, Minshew’s experience and consistent performance over the years make him a reliable option. Over the three seasons where he started at least eight games (2019, 2020, and 2023), he amassed close to 9,000 passing yards and maintained an impressive touchdown-to-interception ratio of 52:20. His mobility further enhances his value, as demonstrated by his 621 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns throughout his career.
Head Coach Antonio Pierce emphasized Minshew’s experience and his ability to execute the game plan, stating that his processing and game management skills are evident both in practice and during games. Pierce acknowledged that while there is room for improvement, Minshew currently offers the best chance for success, based on the team’s performance in the early part of the season.
However, the risks associated with Minshew cannot be overlooked. His aggressive play style, often referred to as that of a “gunslinger,” involves taking significant risks in pursuit of big plays. Minshew has shown a tendency to attempt deep passes on the move, often relying on play action and bootleg passes to create opportunities. In this year’s preseason, he completed 3-of-5 passes for 121 yards on throws over 20 yards, including two long completions to Tre Tucker for 48 and 44 yards.
Pierce praised Minshew’s leadership qualities, noting that his personality and image resonate positively with the team. However, he also pointed out areas that require refinement, particularly in Minshew’s footwork within the pocket and his adherence to the play script. Pierce acknowledged the “magic” that Minshew brings when improvising but stressed the importance of sticking to the game plan and making quick decisions when the first or second read is available. Protecting the football is also a key area where Minshew needs to focus.
As a former Super Bowl-winning linebacker, Antonio Pierce has a special affinity for the linebacker position. He noted that the linebacking corps has been one of the more polished groups during training camp, effectively integrating into Patrick Graham’s defensive system. The presence of former NFL linebacker Mike Caldwell as a coach has also contributed to the unit’s development.
In 2023, the team initially carried five linebackers on the 53-man roster, leading to the expectation that they might do the same this year, or perhaps even add one more. Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo are strong candidates to be starters, with Luke Masterson, Amari Burney, and 2024 fifth-round pick Tommy Eichenberg vying for rotational spots. Additionally, undrafted free agent Amari Gainer from North Carolina has emerged as a standout player, earning an impressive 89.9 defensive grade from Pro Football Focus during the preseason. Gainer’s performance, which included five tackles and two pass deflections, has positioned him as a promising candidate for a roster spot.
On special teams, the urgency among younger players during practice has been noticeable as they seek to secure roles on the roster. DJ Turner has been a top contender for the gunner position, demonstrating his ability to make tackles in open space. Turner’s strong performance continued in a recent game against the Dallas Cowboys, where he recovered a fumble on a kick return. Alongside Turner, Gainer, and safeties Chris Smith II and Isaiah Pola-Mao have also made a positive impression with their play on special teams.
