Three options for Eagles backup QB Gardner Minshew next season

Eagles backup quarterback Gardner Minshew has been a serviceable backup over the past two seasons. But his rookie contract expires after this season, per OverTheCap. 

Will Minshew Mania find a new home in 2023? 

Minshew was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2019 and assumed the role of starter for the bulk of his time there. 

After an up-and-down career with the Jaguars, he was traded to the Eagles before the 2021 season and has become Jalen Hurts' backup. 

Since then, Minshew has grown into a top-10 backup quarterback in the league, per Yardbarker. Most recently, he's filled in for two games this season after Hurts went down with a sprained shoulder. 

After taking first-team reps in the Eagles' walkthrough Wednesday, it appears Jalen Hurts is set to return for the Eagles' season finale against the Giants and relieve Minshew of his duties.

Minshew, 26, has played solid when given the opportunity, posting a 1-3 win-loss record and throwing for 1,102 yards on seven touchdowns and four interceptions to go along with a 92.8 passer rating since joining the Eagles, per ESPN. 

Minshew has also received high praise from Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, who called him "a great backup quarterback who could be starting on teams in this league" and said that "he can ball," per NJ.com. 

However, if Minshew wants another opportunity to become a full-time starter in the league again, he might have to find it on another team. 

There is no doubt that Hurts is the Eagles long-term answer at quarterback for the foreseeable future, especially after becoming an MVP candidate this season. 

In the rest of this article, we'll explore the options for Minshew next season. 

Houston Texans: The Texans currently hold the No. 1 pick in next year's draft, per Tankathon. While the No. 1 pick is a prize no team wants to win for obvious reasons, it enables the Texans to draft the quarterback of their future. The Texans are expected to draft Alabama quarterback Bryce Young with the first-overall pick, per CBS Sports. The Texans were also listed as a team that doesn't have next year's quarterback on its roster by NFL.com. The Texans could sign Minshew and turn him into a bridge quarterback while they develop their first-round choice at the game's most important position.

Indianapolis Colts: The Colts are in a similar situation to the Texans. The Colts had a season they'd rather forget about and are looking ahead toward the rebuilding process this offseason. They've looked for a long-term answer at quarterback ever since Andrew Luck retired, and have tried out several gunslingers to replace him. The Colts could elect to end their never-ending quarterback carousel by drafting a quarterback with their top-10 pick and signing Minshew to take over the offense until their rookie is ready to go. 

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers have explored many options at quarterback over the years. They tried trading for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo with no luck, per CBS Sports. They released former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield and have rolled with P.J. Walker and Sam Darnold for the bulk of this season. Given the fact that Darnold has looked like an afterthought, the Panthers might put their chips on the table and make a change for next season. The Panthers could ride with Minshew next season.

In recent news, Panthers owner David Tepper talked with Michigan's head coach Jim Harbaugh about the Panthers' opening at head coach, per ESPN. If Harbaugh advances through the hiring process and eventually gets the job, Carolina would become a desirable location for a free agent like Minshew.