The Jacksonville Jaguars are one of many teams making their quarterback situation a top priority in the offseason. Blaine Gabbert has not panned out as a starting quarterback, leaving the team to once again target either the NFL draft or the free agent market for options. While the Jaguars could take a quarterback in the first round this year, a recent move hints at 2015 being the bigger target.
According to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports, the Jaguars have signed quarterback Chad Henne to a new two-year contract. Henne was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent come March 11 and Jacksonville has opted to keep him off the market. With that move, the Jaguars have Henne and Blaine Gabbert as their two best options to start in 2014. Will that be enough?
The signing of Henne hints that Jacksonville will likely pass on drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 overall pick. While the team could pick someone up in a later round, Henne is the perfect candidate for a stop-gap quarterback, leaving the team to eye potential No. 1 overall pick in 2015, Jameis Winston.
Is it crazy to start thinking of the 2015 NFL Draft? Yes, it is, but Jacksonville will not be competitive for another two years, making the idea at least worth giving a thought to. According to Jason McIntyre of The Big Lead, the Jaguars will target either a wide receiver or a linebacker in the first round, draft a quarterback in a later round and then grab Winston in 2015. Most assume the Heisman winner will be opting out of Florida State after next season and will be one of the more sought after quarterback options.
General manager Dave Caldwell is doing his due diligence on the quarterbacks of 2014, but many believe that 2015 could actually be the better crop of talent. Along with Winston, Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley will be available. All three quarterbacks will be graded higher than the 2014 options, leaving Jacksonville eyeing one as a franchise player.
Jaguars fans likely need to exercise patience this season. Re-signing Henne gives the team some flexibility. The quarterback still has enough to be a starter if need be. Gabbert can attempt to develop for one more season. Jacksonville gets a top-ranked blue-chip player in the first round and then drafts their franchise quarterback next season. Will this be the plan the team follows? Probably not, but it certainly is an option.