C.J.

Beathard

Beathard will rejoin the Jaguars after spending the past two seasons in Jacksonville as Trevor Lawrence’s backup. Last year, Beathard threw for 349 yards and a touchdown in seven appearances for the Jaguars.

Beathard lost the Jaguars’ QB2 job to Mac Jones and was released with an injury settlement at the end of camp. Now apparently recovered from the groin injury he suffered in the preseason, Beathard is hoping to re-enter the space as a backup. The Giants haven’t dealt with any reported injuries to their quarterback room, but even at full strength, there are improvements that can be made. Beathard has thrown for 3886-19-14 in his career and is 3-10 as a starter. If he signs with the Giants, it will likely be as a member of their practice squad with a chance to be elevated later if needed. Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito are all currently on the team’s 53-man roster.

The Jags’ incumbent backup sealed his Mac Jones fate when he suffered a groin injury in Jax’s second preseason contest. Despite the contest supposedly being “close,” Jones was never going to lose out to 30-year-old Beathard. His long experience will get him looks on the workout circuit.

Beathard’s injury puts a damper on his attempt to win the backup job to Mac Jones, and Jones came back into the game after Beathard left in the fourth quarter. The 30-year-old quarterback will assuredly undergo testing, but even if this is a short-term injury, there’s a very good chance that Jones will end up backing Trevor Lawrence to begin the 2024 campaign.

Beathard is the incumbent who has spent the last three years in Jacksonville and the last two years under Pederson. A true knower of the system, Beathard undoubtedly had the inside edge on this battle heading into camp and was the first to take the field in last week’s preseason game after the Jaguars pulled their starters. Beathard was solid in his outing, throwing for 125 yards and one touchdown while completing 7-of-14 passes, while Jones threw for 98 scoreless yards and completed 9-of-11 attempts. A former starter and first-round pick, Jones did about what we would expect against third-string defenders. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Jags test him against stiffer competition in one of their final two preseason games.

Beathard came in and played essentially two quarters against the Kansas City defense after Trevor Lawrence played the first two series. The 30-year-old found Devin Duvernay for a wide open 35-yard-score, and he also found Brian Thomas Jr. for a 41-yard connection. In between there were some missed throws, but it was a decent outing in his battle to beat Mac Jones for the backup gig. Beathard will be back on the field next Saturday against the Buccaneers.

We don’t know the exact nature of Beathard’s injuries, but the fact they’re of enough concern for the team to go out and acquire another quarterback is at least mildly concerning. Jones will likely battle Beathard for the QB2 job in camp, but it sounds like Beathard could be at risk of not making the roster if Jones wins the backup job outright. It’s far too early to know for sure what Beathard’s future could hold, but this is something to keep in mind closer to offseason programs and training camp.

The team still considers Lawrence “day to day” after he missed Week 17’s win against the Panthers with a shoulder injury. Lawrence is reportedly hopeful about suiting up in a must-win Week 18 game against the Titans. He’s more likely than not to gut it out against a poor Tennessee defense and propel the Jags to the postseason.

Beathard held his own against a Panthers secondary that has been pretty solid for much of the season. Early in the game, he pushed the ball down the field, including a beautiful 48 yard-pass to Jamal Agnew, and consistently found Evan Engram over the middle of the field. However, Beathard was off the mark on a few instances when it counted, including a couple red zone drives that stalled and led to field goals. With the game in hand for almost all of the second half, the Jaguars leaned on the run game to close it out. There is some optimism for Trevor Lawrence to return in Week 18, but if he doesn’t, Beathard will get another above average matchup against the Titans.

Battling a sprained throwing shoulder after being beat up in two straight games, Lawrence seems ready to give it a go this week against the Panthers. “If Trevor play, we’re all-in on that. If C.J. (Beathard) plays, we’re all in on that… it’s a tough decision,” head coach Doug Pederson said Thursday. C.J. Beathard would get the start if Lawrence is held out against Carolina. Obviously Beathard would be a downgrade for all Jacksonville pass catchers.