Tag: Gardner Minshew

6 things to watch as Colts begin OTAs

Here are six things to watch as the Colts begin OTAs next week.

Before we enter the dead period of the NFL calendar, the Indianapolis Colts will go through organized team activities (OTAs) over the next few weeks.

They then will wrap up their spring with a mandatory minicamp to kick off their break until training camp in late July. Indy starts their OTAs on May 23-25, then get back together May 31-June 2, and have their final OTA sessions from June 5-8. Mandatory minicamp falls from June 13-15.

It is important to understand to take any reports and highlight clips with a grain of salt because there is so much that can change over the next couple of months and, of course, there is the history of players showing out in practice at this time of the year then disappearing when the games in the fall.

But that doesn’t mean we can still take away information from OTAs and get some insight on the upcoming season.

Here are six things to watch for from the Colts during their practices in the coming weeks:

Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 preseason schedule

The Philadelphia Eagles preseason schedule will have an all AFC feel, with two matchups against AFC North opponents, along with a reunion againist Shane Steichen and the Colts

The Philadelphia Eagles preseason schedule will have an all-AFC feel, with two matchups against AFC North opponents and a reunion againist Shane Steichen and the Colts.

Philadelphia has the league’s toughest strength of schedule (.566 win percentage) based on last year’s standings.

In each of his first two years as Eagles head coach, Nick Sirianni has held two separate joint practice sessions vs. the Patriots and Jets in 2021 and the Dolphins and Browns last summer.

In 2023, they’ll host the Browns, and we’ll await word on joint sessions with either the Ravens or Colts to help text Philadelphia’s rebuilt defense even more.

Anonymous NFL exec on 2023 draft QB Jake Haener: ‘He’s got a little Drew Brees to him’

At least one anonymous NFL executive thinks highly of 2023 draft QB Jake Haener, telling NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero: ‘He’s got a little Drew Brees to him’

There’s something you don’t see everyday. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero spoke with sources around the league while digging into the 2023 NFL draft class at quarterback, and one passer was compared favorably to New Orleans Saints legend Drew Brees. And like Brees, they aren’t projected to be a first-round pick.

One team’s anonymous executive drew a comparison between Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener and Brees, as well as other undersized passers to have their day in the sun in the NFL, telling Pelissero: “I think he’s similar to Gardner Minshew. He’s got some gamer to him, he’s accurate — he just doesn’t have a big arm. But he’s got a little Drew Brees to him. The ball’s going to come out. He knows where he’s going with it. He’s just not a big person (5-11 5/8, 207 pounds), so can he hold up?”

Haener is expected to be picked in the third or fourth round of this year’s draft, having improved year-over-year with his accuracy and ball security while being voted a team captain in each of his three years as the Bulldogs’ starter. He played through injuries and missed some time with a broken ankle in 2022.

Still, Haener is an electrifying presence on the field, and he throws a very catchable football. He has plenty of experience running a pro-style offense and is skilled at reading the field and getting the ball where it needs to go. He’s more pro-ready than other quarterbacks the Saints have picked in the mid-rounds before like Ian Book and Garrett Grayson. If New Orleans wants to invest in a long-term backup for Carr, getting a popular passer from his alma mater wouldn’t be the worst move. Maybe Haener has more Brees in him than we think.

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Colts signing of Gardner Minshew ranked among top QB moves

The signing of Gardner Minshew was met with praise by CBS Sports.

The Indianapolis Colts added quarterback Gardner Minshew to the roster on a one-year deal in free agency this offseason, hoping he can be the bridge to an incoming rookie.

While the role of Minshew is currently unknown, mostly because we don’t know what the Colts will do in the draft, it was still seen as a strong move overall.

As CBS Sports ranked the top quarterback moves of the offseason, Minshew came in at No. 9.

His uneven run replacing an injured Jalen Hurts reduced his price — at least 11 different backups will make more in 2023. But he’s young (26), experienced (24 starts) and brings a ton of moxie to the QB room. His familiarity with new head coach Shane Steichen also makes him an ideal bridge to whichever rookie QB the Colts inevitably take early in the draft.

The addition of Minshew made too much sense for the Colts. With the likelihood of a rookie quarterback coming in with the No. 4 overall pick, they needed an experienced veteran who could provide stability in the event the rookie needed more time to develop.

Minshew has proven to be a strong backup/bridge option over the last two seasons, and the fact that he’s spent that entire time with Colts new head coach Shane Steichen gives them another voice in the quarterback room.

With less than a month until the first round of the 2023 NFL draft, we don’t know who else will be added to the room.

But the addition of Minshew was a solid one to help add some stability to an offense that was lacking in that area during the 2022 campaign.

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Jersey numbers for free agents signed by Colts

Jersey numbers for the players signed by the Colts in free agency.

The Indianapolis Colts started off free agency making moves at a higher rate than we’ve been accustomed to seeing.

Adding to all three phases of the game, the Colts have signed five unrestricted free agents from other teams, as of this writing. While they are likely to sign a few more leading up to the 2023 NFL draft, which is less than a month away, we already know of the jersey numbers for the first five free-agent signees.

Keep up to date with the latest news, signings and rumors through our free agency tracker for the Colts.

According to the team’s website, here’s a look at the jersey numbers for the newest members of the Colts:

Colts’ Gardner Minshew ‘coming in to just compete’

Shane Steichen played coy on Gardner Minshew’s role with the Colts.

While the quarterback position for the Indianapolis Colts is expected to see a high-valued addition when the 2023 NFL draft comes around, the team brought in Gardner Minshew from free agency to help bridge that gap.

How much work Minshew will see on his fully guaranteed, one-year contract isn’t all that clear heading into the month of April, and head coach Shane Steichen avoided putting any labels on the 26-year-old’s role heading into the 2023 season.

“Right now, obviously, he’s coming in to just compete and be the best he can be, you know, and that’s where we’re going,” Steichen told NFL Network at the Annual League Meeting on Sunday. “That’s where we feel he’s at right now and that’s his role right now.”

That sentiment echoes what Minshew told local reporters during his press conference after signing with the team during the early part of free agency. Minshew also avoided putting a label on his role.

The Colts are doing all they can to keep their intentions close to the vest about the direction of their draft picks. The expectation is that, in one way or another, they will use the No. 4 overall pick to select their quarterback of the future.

Who that would be is a mystery and debate that has been raging for months, and it will continue to do so throughout the month of April leading up to the final Thursday on the calendar.

Even with an undefined role, Steichen had plenty of praise for Minshew at the league meetings. The pair have spent time together over the last two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles.

“You know, I got to spend the two years with him and Philly and just the way he sees the game and processes the game. It’s like a coach you know, he sees it really well. He was great,” Steichen said of Minshew. “Every time he had a chance to go and play, he played well for us and obviously had a big year in Jacksonville his rookie year. Just a tremendous person, loves the game of football, loves the X’s and O’s, so really fortunate to have him with us.”

When asked about a potential selection of a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick, Steichen did a brilliant job toeing the company line.

“I just think every year, no matter where we’ve picked or any team I’ve been a part of, you do that, the work on the quarterbacks regardless, no matter what happens, where you’re picking, who you’re thinking of picking, you always wanted to do the research on those guys,” said Steichen.

What the Colts will do in the draft is a mystery at this point with exactly one month remaining in the process, but there are few better options to have as a bridge/backup quarterback than Minshew.

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One NFL draft prospect to replace each of the Eagles’ free agent departures

We’re looking at one NFL Draft prospect to replace each of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 2023 free-agency departures

The Eagles’ offensive and defensive units will look completely different after a mass exodus of big names.

Seven key Eagles starters or contributors are joining other organizations, as T.J. Edwards (Bears), Javon Hargrave (49ers), Andre Dillard (Titans), Miles Sanders (Panthers), Kyzir White (Cardinals), Gardner Minshew (Colts), and Marcus Epps (Raiders) have all agreed and will depart.

Philadelphia builds through the draft, and April’s selection process offers several intriguing prospects.

With all eyes looking ahead to draft day, here’s one prospect to replace each of the team’s departed free agents.

Experts grade Colts’ signing QB Gardner Minshew

Experts hand out their grades for the Gardner Minshew signing.

The Indianapolis Colts added some insurance to their quarterback room during free agency by signing Gardner Minshew to a one-year deal.

While the expectation is that the Colts will leave the 2023 NFL draft with a new rookie quarterback on the roster, Minshew is regarded as one of the best bridge/backup options in the game.

His deal was cheap as far as his role with the team goes, and he has two full seasons of experience working with new head coach Shane Steichen.

Here’s how some of the experts around the league graded the signing:

Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson working out together?

Colts QB Gardner Minshew and Florida QB Anthony Richardson may have been working out together. Coincidence?

Grab your tin foil hat because it’s conspiracy time.

Newly-signed quarterback Gardner Minshew and one of the top draft prospects in Florida’s Anthony Richardson may have possibly been working out on the same football field at the same time, together, simultaneously.

This is obviously fate that Richardson is going to be a member of the Indianapolis Colts, who own the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft.

Lame sarcasm aside, it’s an interesting coincidence that Minshew and Richardson were possibly working out together, courtesy of Chase Donnon, who posted a picture of the two separately.

It was just a few days after Minshew signed his deal with the Colts.

Minshew’s role with the Colts has yet to be made public. There’s a more-than-likely chance he’s the bridge or backup quarterback to an incoming rookie. Richardson has some of the highest odds to be the selection for the Colts in the draft as most believe C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young will be the first two quarterbacks taken at the end of April.

Players work out together all the time out of mere coincidence and location convenience. Richardson was born in Miami and went to high school and college in Gainsville.

Minshew, a Mississippi native, played for the Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons (2019-2020).

We’re certainly grasping at straws trying to make some sort of connection to the Colts here when it’s most likely coincidence.

But, what if it’s not? It makes you wonder.

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Gardner Minshew embracing fluid role with Colts

‘Whatever that role is, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.’ – New Colts QB Gardner Minshew on his expected role.

At the time of his signing, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew may not know exactly what his role is going to be during the 2023 season, but he’s embracing whatever it will as he heads into Year 5.

Given that the Colts are widely expected to select a quarterback in the 2023 NFL draft, most analysts and pundits see Minshew working as the backup quarterback to whichever rookie hears his name called at the end of April.

Minshew, who spent the last two seasons as the backup to Jalen Hurts with the Philadelphia Eagles, is ready to embrace whatever role the Colts throw at him.

“I really don’t have any expectations. I’ve come here to work hard and to have fun,” Minshew told reporters Friday. “So whatever that role is, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”

Minshew has had an interesting career. He was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL draft and wound up starting 12 games while leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to a 6-6 record. Then he started eight games before a broken hand forced him to miss the majority of the 2020 season.

After the Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL draft, Minshew was traded to the Eagles where he’s been working with Colts new head coach Shane Steichen since.

“Fired up to be working with Shane (Steichen) again. He’s a guy I have a ton of respect for, not only as a coach but just as a guy,” Minshew said. “I’m really excited for how he is going to be as a head coach.”

As for what the Colts can expect the offense to look like, Minshew knows there will be an emphasis on explosive plays.

“A couple of the biggest things that we really focused on in Philadelphia was explosive plays and turnovers. If you look at who wins games in the NFL – teams that win the turnover battle and teams that win the explosive play battle. If you do those things you give yourself a real good chance,” Minshew said.”

We’ll see what happens when the Colts make their selections in the 2023 NFL draft, but it appears Minshew is ready to roll with whatever the team asks him to do.

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