Jaguars coach Liam Coen just dropped some serious insight into the team’s quarterback situation, and let me tell you, it’s got everyone talking after their final preseason game. The biggest bombshell? They traded for Quinn Ewers from the Miami Dolphins to be Trevor Lawrence’s backup, and then cut previous backup Nick Mullens, only to bring him right back to the practice squad. Talk about a rollercoaster!
Jags’ Backup QB Shuffle: Competition or Confusion?
Coen spilled the beans on September 2nd, fresh off that last preseason matchup on August 28th and just before their season opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 13th. He’s all about “continuing to create the competition in the room.” So, what’s the deal with Ewers? Coen saw “some signs of being able to spread the ball around to different spots on the field” and noted his “arm talent” from last year. He likes quarterbacks from Texas, giving a shout-out to coach Steve Sarkasian, and sees Ewers as a “young player that you can pour into.” The catch? Ewers is “obviously having to get up to speed right now.”
That’s where Mullens comes in. Why cut him only to bring him back? Coen wanted to “make sure we kept Nick as well here in terms of week one, what does [Ewers] look like, and is he up to speed?” It’s clear they’re hedging their bets, recognizing the “amount of work that Nick puts in.” This move is all about “putting ourselves, continuing to put ourselves in the best position to be successful as an offense, if and when something were to happen to Trevor.” It sounds like they want options, and they want someone ready to go if the worst happens, even if Ewers is the long-term project.
Rookie Firepower and Lawrence’s Instincts
Beyond the QB drama, Coen is hyped about rookie defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. He saw “explosiveness, twitchy, loose, just some natural pass rush skills” super early, even back in OTAs before pads were on. Coen called it a “knack, a feel” that some guys just have, and they were “really excited about getting him in here post-draft.” Then, once he hit the preseason games, “you started to see it.” Coen is “pleased with where he’s at and think he can help us as we go throughout the season.” That’s high praise for a rookie, and you just know fans are eager to see that raw talent explode on the field.
And let’s talk about Trevor Lawrence’s unique ability to roll to his left. Coen mentioned “pretty cool stats” on Lawrence’s left-side throws, highlighting his “accuracy” and how “many completions and explosives were created.” He can “baseball turn out to his left or slide up and go to his left,” which is something many right-handed quarterbacks struggle with. Coen wisely said, “I don’t want to take that away from him.” While they’ll educate him on when to slide or run, that left-side instinct is a huge weapon they plan to unleash. Veteran running back Ameer Abdullah also got a shout-out for his daily grind and being a “great teammate” everyone loves. That locker room presence is crucial, right?
So, what’s next? The Jags had their practice on September 2nd and are off until September 9th, gearing up for that season opener against the Cleveland Browns on September 13th. All eyes will be on the Ewers-Mullens dynamic, how much Bryan Thomas Jr. makes an immediate impact, and of course, watching Trevor Lawrence continue to work his magic, especially on those wild left-side scrambles. This early season has so many questions, and we’re ready for answers!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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