March 16, 2023   2 MIN READ

Minshew Mania Heads To Heartland

Former Birds Backup Reunites With Steichen

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The Eagles felt the sting of another free-agent loss Thursday, as backup quarterback Gardner Minshew agreed to terms with the Indianapolis Colts.

Minshew, the Eagles’ backup for the last two years, is signing a one-year deal with a full-guaranteed $3.5 million salary, with a chance to make $5.5 million, per Inside The Birds’ Adam Caplan.

He reunites with Colts head coach Shane Steichen, the Eagles’ offensive coordinator for the past two seasons.

Gadner Minshew Dallas Goedert

GETTY IMAGES: Heading to Indianapolis, Gardner Minshew will play for another AFC South club.


Minshew, who who went 1-2 in relief of Jalen Hurts during his Eagles career, will likely be the backup to whichever quarterback the Colts take in April’s NFL Draft, although Minshew could potentially start early in the season if the Colts’ rookie quarterback needs development time.

The Eagles were on a few teams interested in signing Minshew, sources told Caplan, but will look elsewhere for another backup. The Eagles last year claimed Ian Book off waivers after the former Notre Dame quarterback was released from the Saints.

Book was a 20220 fourth-round pick who has appeared in one NFL game, in 2021. There are several backups on the market for the Eagles to consider signing to compete with Book for the backup job.

Minshew went 1-3 in his Eagles career after coming to the team before the 2021 season in a trade with Jacksonville. Eagles front office executive Dave Caldwell drafted Minshew to Jacksonville in 2019 when Caldwell was the Jags’ general manager.

Minshew threw seven touchdowns and four interceptions as an Eagle, completing 63 percent of his passes and registering a 92.8 passer rating. For his career, Minshew is averaging 207 yards per game with a 63% completion clip and 93.1 passer rating.

– Geoff Mosher (@geoffmoshernfl) is co-host of the “Inside the Birds” podcast and staff writer for InsideTheBirds.com.

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