GM #15

Gardner Minshew II

Quarterback · Washington State

Gardner Minshew II is a journeyman quarterback who signed with the Arizona Cardinals in 2026 after spending 2025 as a backup in Kansas City.

Minshew built a cult following as a rookie in Jacksonville and has since carved out a career as a capable bridge and backup quarterback. He played for the Raiders in 2024 and backed up in Kansas City in 2025. In March 2026 he signed a one-year deal with Arizona.

★ Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award winner at Washington State

★ Set Pac-12 single-season passing records

★ Jaguars sixth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft

Path to the league

Minshew transferred to Washington State for his final college season and set Pac-12 records for passing yards and completions while winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award. The Jaguars selected him in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He won the starting job as a rookie when Nick Foles went down.

Career highlights

Minshew has started games for the Jaguars, Eagles, Colts and Raiders across his career. He had his most extended run as a starter with the Colts in 2023 and again with the Raiders in 2024. He spent 2025 as a backup with the Chiefs.

2025 season

Minshew served as a backup quarterback for Kansas City during the 2025 season. He hit free agency the following spring and, per reporting, signed a one-year, $8.25 million contract with the Cardinals on March 12, 2026, joining a room that includes Jacoby Brissett.

Sources

Wikipedia: Gardner Minshew
ESPN: Gardner Minshew II player page

Statistics

2025 season and career

2025 Season · Passing

4 games played

CMP

ATT

YDS

INT

21.0

RTG

▶

Passing · career

Year	Team	GP	CMP	ATT	YDS	TD	INT	RTG	QBR
2025	chiefs	4	6	13	37	0	1	21.0	12.2
2024	raiders	10	203	306	2,013	9	10	81.0	35.0
2023	colts	17	305	490	3,305	15	9	84.6	60.4
2022	eagles	5	44	76	663	3	3	83.4	41.6
2021	eagles	4	41	60	439	4	1	104.8	66.2
2020	jaguars	9	216	327	2,259	16	5	95.9	44.0
2019	jaguars	14	285	470	3,271	21	6	91.2	44.6