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10 Potential Backup Quarterback Plans for the Jaguars in 2027 and Beyond
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- 10 Potential Backup Quarterback Plans for the Jaguars in 2027 and Beyond
Baker Mayfield 's extension puts into perspective the money Trevor Lawrence was getting after just his third season. Before the 2024 season, Trevor locked in a five-year, $275 million extension to become the Jaguars ' quarterback through 2031. Mayfield just signed his extension for the same APY of $55 million to be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers ' franchise guy for the next three years, tying him with Lawrence, Matthew Stafford , Jordan Love , Joe Burrow and Josh Allen and solidifying that mark as the new standard for franchise quarterbacks. However, in Diante Lee's quarterback room ranking , which ranks how well the resources are allocated to the backup quarterback along with the starter, the Jaguars ranked 15th, just under the Houston Texans and just above the Detroit Lions . Lee has Nick Mullens as the backup, but the ranking may improve if they factored in their new backup , Quinn Ewers , who was only worth a 2028 sixth-round pick and cut the yearly salary almost in half, from $2.25 million to $1.23 million. However, Ewers' potential is what made the Jaguars take the chance on him; there is no guarantee that he will be the answer behind Lawrence in Jacksonville . Here are ten other potential backup quarterback plans for the Jaguars to have in 2027 and beyond.
Free Agency
Jul 25, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Trey Lance (5) throws the ball during training camp at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Stetson Bennett ( Los Angeles Rams ): $1.32 million cap hit this season
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Josh Dobbs (Detroit Lions): $1.2 million cap hit this season
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Zach Wilson ( New Orleans Saints ): $1.26 million
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Trey Lance ( Los Angeles Chargers ): $2.5 million
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Sam Howell ( Dallas Cowboys ): $2.5 million
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These five quarterbacks represent players who can come in for a game or two if Lawrence can't stay healthy for all 17 games and give Lawrence, and maybe even Ewers, some much-needed advice throughout the season. The only player without regular-season game experience is Stetson Bennett, but 2026 will be Bennett's fourth season with Sean McVay and the Rams.
2027 NFL Draft
SMU quarterback Kevin Jennings (7) runs with the ball against Louisville at Gerald J. Ford Stadium on Nov. 22, 2025, in Dallas, Texas.© Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
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Katin Houser – Illinois
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Conner Weigman – Houston
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Kevin Jennings – SMU
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Maalik Murphy – Oregon State
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Aidan Chiles – Northwestern
These five quarterbacks are all seniors with at least 500 attempts going into 2026, with Kevin Jennings having almost 1,000 after last week's games against FSU. These are seasoned quarterbacks who have captained college offenses and could potentially come in relief of Lawrence as a rookie and give solid snaps, while only spending a Day 3 pick.
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Jacksonville Jaguars Essentials
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Sep 10, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
