Podcast: Fournette’s contract option gets declined, analysis on Shenault, Hamilton picks, Rodgers gets connected to Jags

James and Smith jumped in the booth to record yet another episode of “Bleav in the Jags” where they evaluated the Jags’ Day 2 picks.

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the books, the Jacksonville Jaguars  had to make a key decision on one of their current stars on the roster, Leonard Fournette, whose contract option was due to be picked up. With them declining the option, Jags Wire contributor Phil Smith and I decided to jump in the recording booth and discuss the topic on episode 15 of “Bleav in the Jags.”

We also continued our player analysis on the Jags’ 2020 draft class and discussed the selections of Laviska Shenault Jr. and DaVon Hamilton. To put it simply, the Jags got solid athletes in both and we looked into their pros, cons, and the outlook for each individual.

Lastly, we took a look at the recent CBS Sports’ article by Cody Benjamin which listed the Jags as a 2021 suitor for Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. While we believe it’s hard to look that far into the future and an unlikely scenario, we looked at some key points that do make it a possibility.

All that and more was discussed and the full episode can be heard below.

Feel free to listen to the archived episodes of “Bleav in Jags,”too, and subscribe via Apple podcasts, Google Play, or Spotify.

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CBS Sports lists Jags as a fit for Packers QB Aaron Rodgers if traded in 2021

CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin might be on to something with his latest post which lists the Jags as a potential fit for Aaron Rodgers in 2021.

With the 2020 NFL Draft in the history books, just about every mock draft for 2021 has the Jacksonville Jaguars selecting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence first overall. Of course, those are all based on the team’s Super Bowl LV odds as the Jags are listed with the worst odds by many in Vegas, including BetMGM, who has them down for odds of 150/1 (tied with the Washington Redskins).

Of course, a lot will hinge on Gardner Minshew II proving he can be the guy after he had a rather interesting season where he led the Jags to a 6-6 record and won seven Pepsi Rookie of the Year Awards. However, if he isn’t the guy many are hoping for, the Jags will be in a situation where they need to find a new answer at quarterback in 2021.

If the Jags elect not to go with a rookie selection in 2021, the only other options would be through trade or free agency. Interestingly enough, some believe there is a slim chance that future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be one of the players on the trade block.

As many are aware, the Green Bay Packers selected Utah State quarterback Jordan Love with the No. 26 overall selection after trading up to the spot with the Miami Dolphins. Now, with such draft capital invested in him, clearly Jordan Love is a player who the Packers will want to see on the field in the coming years.

As a result, CBS Sports’ Cody Benjamin laid out some scenarios in the event that Rodgers is traded, and lo and behold, the Jags were listed — albeit at the last slot:

7. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are betting a lot on former sixth-round pick Gardner Minshew in 2020, and considering the QB’s supporting cast, it wouldn’t be a stunner if Jacksonville were once again picking in the top 10 in 2021. That alone means they’re probably more likely to pursue their future face of the franchise through the draft. Still, only two teams have more projected cap space for 2021, and the Jags also have six picks in the first four rounds of next year’s draft (i.e. lots of trade ammunition). Nothing would reignite a Florida fan base taken hostage by Tom Brady like Rodgers calling TIAA Bank Field home.

Rodgers might not be gung-ho about joining an AFC South cellar-dweller, but he’d likely be reuniting with new Jags assistant Ben McAdoo, who served as the Packers’ QBs coach from 2012-13, when Rodgers had a 39-touchdown season and led Green Bay to back-to-back NFC North titles. It doesn’t hurt No. 12 is apparently an increasing fan of beachfront property.

As crazy as some may view it, Benjamin could be on to something here if Rodgers miraculously is traded next season. As we’ve mentioned at times here on Jags Wire, the Jags’ trading away expensive veterans like Calais Campbell, A.J. Bouye, and Nick Foles put them in tremendous shape cap-wise in 2020. Per Spotrac, the Jags are projected to have just under $100 million in cap space next year and only the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts, and Baltimore Ravens will have more.

As for the draft compensation the Jags are working with next year, they are sitting on two first-round selections thanks to the Los Angeles Rams and Jalen Ramsey. That makes them a little more dangerous than any other team if Rodgers was shopped in 2021 (which, again, feels like a long shot).

As for Rodgers’ relationship with McAdoo, it seems like Rodgers is a big fan of him. This was something we discussed back when the Jags hired McAdoo in February as Rodgers has been on record for praising him during his time as the Packers’ quarterbacks coach. Maybe the relationship is one that could help avoid any friction between Rodgers and the staff, too, as that is believed by some to be a reason they drafted Love.

Add in the possibility of the Jags’ offensive talent developing with D.J. Chark like Laviska Shenault, and maybe some growth out of tight end Josh Oliver in 2020, and the Jags may have a somewhat appealing group for Rodgers.

Right now, a Rodgers trade is crazy to even process and we have to get through 2020 before this even remotely becomes a small possibility (if at all). Then again, if the Packers move on in 2021, Rodgers to the Jags may not be as ridiculous as it sounds when looking at the fact that Tom Brady will play for the Tampa Bay Bucs this year.

3 things to know about new Jags QBs coach Ben McAdoo

The Jags have a new quarterbacks coach in Ben McAdoo who has had quite an interesting career prior to signing.

The Jacksonville Jaguars filled another vacancy on their staff Tuesday night as former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo signed to take the team’s quarterbacks coach vacancy. With the team having an unusual season behind center in 2019, McAdoo will now be charged with getting the best out of Gardner Minshew II and Nick Foles, who will battle to start this offseason.

With McAdoo being such a key hiring for the Jags, here are three things to know about the veteran assistant who will return to coaching after a few years off:

He’s been in the league for 16 years

McAdoo initially entered the NFL as a quality controls coach in 2004 with the New Orleans Saints and has worked his way up the ranks. It was there where he met and was interviewed by current Dallas Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy, who he followed to San Francisco and Green Bay (where McCarthy became a head coach).

While in Green Bay as a tight ends coach (2006–11) and a quarterbacks coach (2012–13), McAdoo saw the Packers have great success including a victory in Super Bowl XLV and numerous playoff runs. However, his biggest achievement was getting to coach Aaron Rodgers for two years, who he grew a solid bond with (which we’ll bring up later).

McAdoo’s last stop before Jacksonville was with the Giants where he got his first crack at being an offensive coordinator (2014-15). In just his second year with the role, he propelled the Giants to having the sixth-highest-scoring offense in the NFL. Eli Manning also had career highs in passing attempts, completions, and touchdowns that season.

Of course, that led to the Giants promoting him to their head coaching role in 2017. Initially, he was able to have some success in his first season by aiding the team to their first playoff berth since 2011. Unfortunately after that, the wheels fell off in 2018 and he was fired but there are certainly some good achievements on his résumé.