Look, being a Jacksonville fan usually means you're waiting for the other shoe to drop. But honestly? Right now, the jaguars quarterback depth chart feels steadier than it has in years. We aren't just talking about Trevor Lawrence finally looking like the "Generational Talent" we were promised back in 2021. It’s about the safety net.
If you’ve been following the 2025-2026 season, you know things changed the moment the front office moved on from the Mac Jones experiment and brought in Nick Mullens. It wasn't a flashy move, but it was the right one.
The Current Jaguars Quarterback Depth Chart (Postseason 2026)
Right now, as the Jags head into the playoffs, the room is lean. Gone are the days of carrying three or four guys just for the sake of it. Head Coach Liam Coen has a very specific vision for this offense, and he only needs a couple of guys who can actually execute it.
1. Trevor Lawrence (The Franchise)
Trevor is the guy. Period. After signing that massive $275 million extension, the pressure was at an all-time high. But he delivered. This season, he’s been surgical, putting up over 4,000 yards and 29 touchdowns. He’s finally found that rhythm with Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers that we didn't see last year.
2. Nick Mullens (The Professional Backup)
Mullens joined on a two-year, $6.5 million deal, and he’s been exactly what the Jags needed. He’s not here to take Trevor's job. He's here because if Trevor’s helmet comes off for a play, Mullens knows the playbook well enough to keep the chains moving. He actually saw some decent garbage-time action this year because the Jags were blowing people out—something we aren't exactly used to seeing in Duval.
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3. Carter Bradley (The Developmental Arm)
You’ll mostly see him on the practice squad or as an emergency inactive, but Bradley is still hanging around. He’s a "coach’s kid" type who has stuck with the program since 2024. He isn't going to win you a playoff game today, but the team clearly likes his upside as a long-term scout team leader.
Why the Mac Jones Era Ended So Fast
Remember when Mac Jones was the hometown hero return story? It was a fun narrative for a minute. But let’s be real: the fit was weird. Mac needed a specific kind of protection that the Jags' offensive line struggled to provide in early 2025.
When Trevor went down with that AC joint sprain late in '24, Mac stepped in, and... well, it wasn't great. The Jaguars realized they didn't need a "young starter in waiting." They needed a veteran who could process a defense in 2.5 seconds and get the ball out. That’s why Nick Mullens is the backup now. He’s a "floor" player, not a "ceiling" player. If Trevor is the lightning, Mullens is the steady rain.
How Liam Coen Changed the QB Room
The hiring of Liam Coen as head coach fundamentally shifted the jaguars quarterback depth chart requirements. Coen brought in a system that demands high-level pre-snap recognition.
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- Complexity: The playbook is significantly more dense than the Doug Pederson era.
- Consistency: Coen values a backup who won't turn the ball over more than a backup with a "big arm."
- Integration: Grant Udinski, who worked with Mullens in Minnesota, came over as an assistant. This gave Mullens a "cheat code" to learn the offense faster than anyone else.
It's actually pretty cool to see how much more confident Lawrence looks in this scheme. He isn't forced to play hero ball every single snap. Having Jakobi Meyers as a safety valve has been a godsend for both Trevor and the backup situation.
The Financial Reality of Trevor's Contract
We have to talk about the money because it dictates everything else on the roster. Trevor's cap hit is about to balloon. In 2026, he’s carrying a cap hit of roughly $24 million, but that number is the "cheap" part of the extension.
Because the Jags are paying Trevor $55 million a year on average, they can't afford to spend $10 million on a backup QB. They need guys like Mullens—veterans on "middle-class" NFL contracts—to fill out the jaguars quarterback depth chart. This is why you see the team moving on from expensive veteran depth and leaning on cheap, reliable backups and undrafted guys like Carter Bradley.
What Happens if Trevor Gets Hurt?
This is the nightmare scenario for any Jags fan. But honestly, the outlook is better than it used to be. Mullens has started 20+ games in this league. He’s had 300-yard games. He’s not going to crumble under the lights of EverBank Stadium.
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The strategy is simple:
- Lean on Travis Etienne and the emergence of Bhayshul Tuten in the run game.
- Use the quick-game passing attack to Jakobi Meyers.
- Let the defense, led by Josh Hines-Allen, win the field position battle.
It’s a "winning with" rather than "winning because of" strategy for the backup. And for a team with playoff aspirations, that’s all you can ask for.
Actionable Insights for Jaguars Fans
If you're tracking the roster movement heading into the 2026 offseason, here is what you need to watch:
- The Practice Squad Pivot: Watch if the Jags sign a "mobile" QB to the practice squad this spring. With Trevor's mobility being a key part of the offense, having a pocket passer like Mullens as the only backup leaves a gap in the playbook if the starter goes down.
- Mullens' Contract: He’s under contract through 2026. Unless a team offers a mid-round pick for him in a trade, don't expect the #2 spot to change.
- The Draft: Don't be surprised if the Jags use a 6th or 7th rounder on a "project" QB in the upcoming draft. They need to keep the pipeline full of cheap talent while Trevor’s salary takes up a bigger slice of the pie.
The jaguars quarterback depth chart isn't the drama-filled soap opera it used to be. It’s professional, it’s calculated, and for the first time in a long time, it feels like it’s built to survive a long season.