Jaguars land possible Trevor Lawrence backup in trade with Dolphins

The transaction comes after a mostly lackluster preseason by Jacksonville's other backup quarterbacks, including eight-year veteran Nick Mullens, who has 20 career starts. In three starts this preseason, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback was 14-of-21 for 161 yards and a touchdown. He engineered seven series without scoring a touchdown and finished with as many three-and-outs as field goal drives (two).

Carter Bradley, a 2024 undrafted free agent, completed 53.3 percent of his passes for 233 yards (5.2 yards per attempt), two touchdowns and two interceptions as the preseason's QB2 with Lawrence sitting all three games. Rookie undrafted free agent Joey Aguilar had the best numbers (17-of-20, 230 yards, one touchdown), but after only getting on the field in the second halves of games, there's no chance the Jaguars are comfortable having him a snap away from getting regular-season reps.

Ewers, 23, was limited to one (bad) preseason outing because of a groin injury, which he recently said "definitely" contributed to the ugly performance at the Washington Commanders. Ewers finished 1-of-8 for 27 yards and an interception, but the former Texas Longhorn was far more solid in three starts for the Dolphins at the end of last season, completing 66.3 percent of his passes for 622 yards (7.5 yards per attempt), three touchdowns and three interceptions.

Lawrence has mostly proven durable over his first five seasons, playing all 17 games three times, including in 2025. But he's only two years removed from missing seven games due to a shoulder injury and concussion. He also missed one game in 2023 with a sprained shoulder.

It's important to have a reliable backup, and Saturday's trade suggests coach Liam Coen wasn't satisfied with his options following training camp and the preseason. 

Ewers might be the answer. The Jaguars are hoping they never have to find out.