NFL Rumors: Jaguars 'Really Want to Give Gardner Minshew a Real Shot'

Gardner Minshew II has only made 12 starts in the NFL, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are willing to see if he can be a franchise quarterback.

According to Peter King of NBC Sports, the team doesn't plan to select a quarterback with its No. 9 overall pick in next week's draft.

"They really want to give Gardner Minshew a real shot," a friend of general manager Dave Caldwell told King.

Jacksonville has already traded Nick Foles this offseason, clearing the path for Minshew to go into 2020 as the unquestioned starter.

There has been speculation the team could add a free agent like Cam Newton, including from Hall of Famer Warren Moon, who told TMZ Sports Newton would be a good fit.

Without a new addition, it puts the spotlight on Minshew, who impressed as a rookie despite entering the league as a sixth-round draft pick.

The 23-year-old finished the year with 3,271 passing yards and 21 touchdowns with only six interceptions in 14 appearances.

Jacksonville also went 6-6 with Minshew as a starter compared to 0-4 under Foles, who came to Jacksonville as a high-priced free agent (four years, $88 million).

Though Minshew's success has been in a limited sample size, it makes sense for the Jaguars to give him at least another season to prove he can be the answer at quarterback. Between Blake Bortles (2014), Blaine Gabbert (2011) and Byron Leftwich (2003), the organization also hasn't had much success with first-round picks at the position.

In his latest mock draft, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller predicted Jacksonville will use the No. 9 pick on South Carolina defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw.