Back in April, Jacksonville Jaguars RB Leonard Fournette made it known on social media and ESPN that he wanted the Jaguars to sign then free-agent QB Cam Newton after Carolina released Newton. Fournette’s comments made waves because Jacksonville had pretty much committed to Gardner Minshew as their quarterback after they traded Nick Foles to Chicago.
Here’s what Fournette told ESPN’s First Take about Newton back in April:
“Cam went to the Super Bowl,” Fournette said during an appearance on ESPN’s “First Take” on Thursday. “He’s a great guy. I’ve been knowing Cam for a minute now. And like I told some people that talked to me, it’s no disrespect to (Gardner) Minshew. I’m just trying to get into the best position as a team so that we can win. That’s all that was about. Just a friendly competition because that brings out the best in people.”
On Monday, Fournette explained his comments.
“I talked to Gardner [Minshew] during the whole thing that they made it a big deal when I asked for Cam [Newton], and he understood where I was coming from,” Fournette said. “At the end of the day, I want to win. Who doesn’t want to win?
“I came from a 2017 season with a team who was 10-6, we had talent level and then the next couple of years went down the drain. So, I just want to address a lot of things, too, especially since the media came out and said I was an angry guy. Number one, would you be angry if you’re losing week in and week out? That is one of my biggest problems, I do get upset when we lose, and it takes me a while to get over it. I expect, just like anybody else, if you put the work in, you want the W, but a lot of times last year it didn’t go like that. I guess they kind of misinterpreted that, and don’t get me wrong, I was upset from the losing, but that’s just the winner in me. That’s any guy who plays this “”professional level of sports.”
When asked if he noticed anything different about Minshew, Fournette had this to say:
“His hair got long. He’s got a little more toned, most definitely he kind of defined his body out over the workouts he did in the summer so like I said we’ll see how everything comes together once the season comes.”
The 31-year-old Newton signed with the Patriots in July. At this point, after struggling with a shoulder and foot injury, Newton is seemingly healthy. Additionally, Newton, who won the league MVP and led the Panthers to the Super Bowl in 2015, will be very motivated to play well so he can get another big contract. When healthy, there are not many quarterbacks as talented as Newton, so you understand why Fournette would want him in Jacksonville.
Minshew, 24, had an outstanding rookie season. Among rookies quarterbacks, Minshew was second in passing yards(3271), second in touchdown passes(21), and first in wins(6), so he showed a lot of promise. In the short term, yes, Newton might have been the better option. However, some believe he is done. In the long run, Minshew, if he has the goods, could be the team’s franchise quarterback for years to come.
By season’s end, we will probably know if Jacksonville made the right decision at quarterback, but at this moment, the debate continues.
