Not only will the Jacksonville Jaguars have a new No. 1 quarterback in 2019, but they will also have a new No. 2, too. The team released backup signal-caller, Cody Kessler, Thursday, nearly a year after trading for him with the Cleveland Browns.
Kessler, 25, participated in five games for the Jags in 2018, four of which were starts. He first saw action in the Jags’ Week 7 game against the Houston Texans as Blake Bortles was benched after the first half. Afterward, he was named the Jags’ starter from Week 13-16 due to Bortles continuing to struggle alongside the offense dealing with injuries. Throughout that stint of starts, Kessler was only able to acquire one victory (against the Indianapolis Colts) and finished the season 85-of-131 (64.9 percent ) for 709 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Jags had five quarterbacks on their roster including Kessler, so it was expected that the team would make a move though many didn’t think Kessler would be the one to go. Now, Tanner Lee, Alex McGough and sixth-round rookie selection Gardner Minshew will battle for the No. 2 position behind Foles.
