No, Gardner Minshew will not start for the Philadelphia Eagles because he is no longer on the roster.
Instead, Pro Bowler Jalen Hurts remains the locked-in starting quarterback for Philadelphia, while Minshew is currently the backup quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals.
After his two-year stint in Pennsylvania, Minshew signed a contract to play in Arizona, where he serves as the primary number two option behind starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
Dedicated football fans seeking a quarterback change in Philadelphia must look elsewhere today, as Minshew’s tenure as a high-end insurance option for the team is now officially over.
Why Will Gardner Minshew Start for the Eagles Be a No?
Understanding why Minshew departed Pennsylvania requires looking at his career timeline. His transition from a valuable backup to his current roster spot highlights his ongoing professional journey.
His Departure from Philadelphia in March 2023
After serving as a premium backup for two seasons, Minshew left Philadelphia in March 2023 during free agency.
He signed with the Indianapolis Colts to seek new opportunities, officially ending his time as Jalen Hurts’ primary backup. This move opened a new chapter in his career away from the NFC East.
His Journeys Through Multiple NFL Rosters
Following his departure from the Colts, Minshew continued his journey across the league. He spent time playing for the Las Vegas Raiders and the Kansas City Chiefs.
These various stints allowed him to showcase his reliability as an experienced signal-caller across different offensive schemes before finding his next permanent home.
His Current Backup Position in Arizona
Today, Minshew is on the Arizona Cardinals roster. Rather than starting, he serves as the primary number two quarterback behind Arizona’s starter, Jacoby Brissett.
This stable position allows him to continue his career as a highly respected, veteran presence in the NFC West division.
Analyzing the Trade and Roster Role That Brought Him to Philadelphia
Before examining his individual games, we must explore how the quarterback originally arrived in Philadelphia. The trade structure and his specific operational role defined his entire tenure with the franchise.
The August 2021 Trade Agreement
In August 2021, Philadelphia completed a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars to acquire Minshew. The team sent a conditional sixth-round draft pick to Jacksonville in exchange for the quarterback.
This low-risk transaction gave Philadelphia a proven backup with starting experience to support their developing offense.
Serving as a High-End Insurance Policy
During his two years with the team, Minshew was the designated security blanket behind Jalen Hurts. He appeared in nine total games and made four regular-season starts.
His presence ensured the team could remain competitive even when their starting dual-threat quarterback suffered injuries on the field.
Minshew’s Starting Appearances During the 2021 Season
To understand the quarterback’s history, we must evaluate his first-year starts. During his initial season in Philadelphia, he stepped into the starting role under two completely different circumstances.
- Week 13 vs. New York Jets (Eagles 33, Jets 18): With Hurts sidelined due to a sprained ankle, Minshew completed 14 of his first 15 passes in the first half. He finished 20-of-25 for 242 passing yards, throwing two touchdowns to tight end Dallas Goedert, earning a spectacular 133.7 passer rating.
- Week 18 vs. Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys 51, Eagles 26): Head coach Nick Sirianni rested Hurts and most starters after securing a playoff berth. Playing alongside backup receivers, Minshew completed 19-of-33 attempts for 186 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception.
Minshew’s Starting Appearances During the 2022 Season
The subsequent season presented more pressure-filled opportunities. He was called upon late in the year to lead the team during a critical stretch of the schedule.
- Week 16 vs. Dallas Cowboys (Cowboys 40, Eagles 34): Minshew started a highly anticipated Christmas Eve division game after Hurts suffered a sprained right shoulder. He threw for 355 passing yards, threw two touchdowns, and scored one rushing touchdown, but committed three turnovers consisting of two interceptions and one fumble.
- Week 17 vs. New Orleans Saints (Saints 20, Eagles 10): Hurts remained sidelined for a second consecutive week to rest his shoulder. The offense stalled significantly, and Minshew completed 18-of-32 passes for 274 yards with one touchdown and a costly fourth-quarter pick-six that sealed the loss.
Statistical Comparison: Minshew’s Annual Production in Philadelphia
Reviewing his cumulative data shows a contrast between his two seasons. The statistics illustrate how his efficiency shifted depending on the matchups and game contexts.
| Performance Metric | 2021 Regular Season | 2022 Regular Season |
|---|---|---|
| Games Played (Starts) | 4 (2) | 5 (2) |
| Passing Yards | 439 | 663 |
| Passing Touchdowns / Interceptions | 4 / 1 | 3 / 3 |
| Completion Percentage | 68.3% | 57.9% |
| Passer Rating | 104.8 | 83.4 |
These numbers demonstrate that while he was highly efficient during his limited 2021 appearances, his efficiency dropped during the 2022 campaign as defensive coordinators adjusted to his pocket style.
System Fit: How the Offense Altered Without Hurts
Comparing these two quarterbacks requires examining how their different styles impacted the playbook. The team had to adjust its offensive strategy significantly depending on who was under center.
The Loss of the Dual-Threat Rushing Dynamic
When Minshew played, the offense completely lacked the unique rushing threat that Hurts provides. Hurts’ ability to scramble and execute designed run plays kept defensive lines hesitant.
Without this dynamic, defenses could focus strictly on stopping Minshew’s pocket passing, altering the team’s running efficiency.
Pocket-Passing Efficiency and Playbook Execution
Despite the lack of rushing, Minshew executed the standard passing game with high competency. He proved capable of distributing the ball quickly to key receivers, as demonstrated by his high completion rates in his best outings.
However, the lack of versatility made the overall offensive attack far more predictable.
The Strategic Value of a Premium Backup Quarterback
Roster depth is a critical factor for any professional football franchise. Evaluating Minshew’s tenure helps us understand how valuable a reliable backup is when a starting signal-caller goes down.
Managing Regular Season Injury Risks
Minshew’s starts in both 2021 and 2022 came when Hurts was sidelined by injuries like a sprained ankle or a sprained shoulder.
Having a backup who can immediately step in and win games, like Minshew did against the Jets, keeps a team’s postseason aspirations alive when disaster strikes.
Financial and Draft Assets Allocation
Philadelphia acquired Minshew for just a conditional sixth-round draft pick. This trade represents highly efficient asset allocation, allowing the front office to secure an experienced quarterback with a low acquisition cost while preserving high-value draft capital to build the rest of the roster.
Frequently Asked Questions About Minshew’s Role
Will Gardner Minshew start for the Eagles this season?
No, he will not start for them because he is no longer on their roster. Jalen Hurts is their starting quarterback.
What is Gardner Minshew’s current NFL team?
He is currently playing for the Arizona Cardinals.
What is Minshew’s role on the Cardinals?
He is the primary backup (number two option) behind Arizona’s starting quarterback, Jacoby Brissett.
What was Minshew’s record as a starting quarterback in Philadelphia?
He finished with a 1–3 record over his four starts across the 2021 and 2022 regular seasons.
Which teams has Minshew played for since leaving Philadelphia?
After leaving the team in March 2023, he played for the Indianapolis Colts, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Kansas City Chiefs, and now the Arizona Cardinals.
Who did Minshew throw his touchdowns to during his stellar 2021 debut start?
He threw two touchdown passes to tight end Dallas Goedert during a Week 13 victory against the New York Jets.
Summary of Gardner Minshew’s Legacy in Philadelphia
In summary, while the question of whether Minshew will start for Philadelphia is a clear no, his legacy with the franchise remains noteworthy. Over two seasons, he stepped up during critical injury situations to keep the team competitive.
Though his 1–3 starting record reflects the difficulty of replacing a dynamic starter like Hurts, his efficiency as a pocket passer proved his value.
Today, he continues his professional career in Arizona, leaving Philadelphia fans with fond memories of his reliable service.
