Honestly, if you watched the Jacksonville Jaguars claw their way to a 13-4 record and an AFC South title this past season, you probably think the quarterback situation is "solved." And in a way, it is. Trevor Lawrence just wrapped up the most efficient season of his professional life under head coach Liam Coen. But then Sunday happened. That 27-24 Wild Card loss to the Buffalo Bills, capped off by a heart-wrenching interception to Cole Bishop, reminded everyone in Duval that even an elite starter is human.
When we talk about the jaguars qb depth chart, we aren't just talking about number 16. We’re talking about the thin line between a Super Bowl window and a total collapse.
Right now, the hierarchy is crystal clear, but the implications for the 2026 offseason are a lot more complex than a simple list of names. Let's get into who is actually in that room and why the backup spot might be more volatile than you’d think.
The Untouchable: Trevor Lawrence
Trevor is the franchise. Period. Even with that final pick against Buffalo, the guy proved he’s worth every penny of that $275 million extension. He’s 26 now, entering his sixth season, and he’s finally acting like the "generational" talent we were promised back in 2021.
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Last year, he set a franchise high for completion percentage (63.3%) and has basically lived in the top five for completions and passing yards across the entire AFC since 2021. He’s also becoming a legitimate threat on the ground, tallying 14 rushing touchdowns in his career—which ties him for second-most by a QB in Jaguars history.
But here is what most people get wrong about Trevor: they think he's finished developing. He’s not. General manager James Gladstone recently mentioned that Lawrence is still refining his pocket movement and footwork. If you watched the late-season games, his ability to extend plays with his legs was noticeably better, but there’s still a tendency to "force" throws when the game is on the line. That’s the next step.
The Insurance Policy: Nick Mullens
Behind Lawrence sits Nick Mullens. The Jaguars brought him in from Minnesota to be the steady hand, the guy who won't panic if Trevor’s ankle gets rolled on in the second quarter of a divisional game.
Mullens is basically the definition of a "high-floor" backup. He’s been around for seven years. He has the "gunslinger" mentality, which can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, he knows Liam Coen’s system well enough to keep the offense moving. On the other hand, Mullens is known for being a bit too aggressive, which leads to turnovers.
The Jags seem comfortable with him as the primary QB2 for now, but in the NFL, "comfortable" usually lasts about as long as a Gatorade shower. If a young, high-upside prospect falls in the draft or a cheaper veteran becomes available, Mullens' spot isn't 100% safe, though he's firmly the second man up on the current jaguars qb depth chart.
The Developmental Project: Carter Bradley
This is where it gets interesting for the die-hard fans. Carter Bradley—son of former Jags coach Gus Bradley—is the developmental piece. Currently sitting on the "reserve/future" or developmental tier, he’s the guy the staff is trying to mold.
- Height: 6'3"
- College: South Alabama
- Role: Practice squad / QB3 depth
Bradley isn't going to challenge Trevor for a starting job. Obviously. But he’s exactly the kind of player teams like to keep around for scout team purposes. He has a decent arm and a high football IQ. If the Jags decide to carry three quarterbacks on the active roster next year, it’ll be a battle between him and whatever undrafted free agent or late-round pick they bring into camp.
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Why the Jaguars QB Depth Chart Matters Now
You might wonder why we're obsessing over backups after a 13-win season. It's simple: look at the AFC South. C.J. Stroud isn't going anywhere. The Titans are constantly retooling. The margin for error is razor-thin.
If Lawrence misses even two games, the difference between Nick Mullens and a "scramble-to-find-someone" situation is the difference between hosting a playoff game or watching it from the couch.
Liam Coen’s offense is predicated on timing and specific footwork. It’s not a "plug-and-play" system where you can just sign a guy on Tuesday and have him play on Sunday. That makes the continuity of having Mullens and Bradley in the building extremely valuable.
Current Order of Operations (As of January 2026):
- Trevor Lawrence (The Franchise)
- Nick Mullens (The Veteran Backup)
- Carter Bradley (Developmental/Futures)
Looking Toward the 2026 Offseason
General Manager James Gladstone has a luxury most GMs would kill for: clarity. He knows who his starter is. This allows the front office to focus on surrounding Trevor with more help—like Brian Thomas Jr., who has been a revelation, and the Swiss Army knife that is Travis Hunter.
However, don't be surprised if the Jags use a late-round pick on a quarterback this April. Success in the NFL is about cost-controlled depth. Having a rookie QB on a four-year deal is much cheaper than paying a veteran backup like Mullens a few million dollars a year.
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Actionable Takeaways for Jaguars Fans:
- Watch the Draft: If the Jaguars take a QB in Round 6 or 7, it’s a direct signal that they are looking to move on from the veteran backup model to a cheaper, younger developmental model.
- Monitor Trevor’s Mechanics: Pay attention to his footwork in the 2026 preseason. If he cleans up the "sloppiness" he mentioned in his post-game pressers, his ceiling is an MVP trophy.
- Keep an Eye on the Waiver Wire: The QB3 spot is almost always fluid. Carter Bradley has the inside track, but that's the most "at-risk" spot on the roster.
The Jaguars are in a great spot, but as we saw in the Buffalo game, the distance between "almost" and "champion" is measured in inches—and usually, those inches are decided by the guy under center.