Everything We've Learned About the Jaguars' Backup QB Battle So Far

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are hitting the midpoint of training camp, and the preseason opener against the New Orleans Saints is right around the corner.

With the Jaguars set to sit starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence in Saturday's preseason opener due to Thursday's joint practice, it is a good time to take a look at the quarterback room behind him. The Jaguars' backup quarterbacks will be running the show on Saturday against the Saints, and it is worth remembering that there is still a battle for the QB3/practice squad spot between two young passers.

So, what is the state of the backup quarterback situation behind Lawrence? We break it down below.

Nick Mullens is Unchallenged

Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) and Jacksonville Jaguars Quarterback Nick Mullens (14) go to there next drill during the Jacksonville Jaguars seventh day of NFL Training Camp at the Miller Electric Center in Jacksonville, Fla., Thursday August 6, 2026. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union] | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

One thing that has been very clear from the jump is that Nick Mullens is, expectedly, unchallenged as QB2. The Jaguars have never seemed interested in finding another option via a trade or free agency, and it is easy to see why. They have a contract committed to Mullens, a veteran passer who has experience in the system and who successful served as a sounding board last year for Lawrence in his first year in the McVay-family style of offense.

Mullens has taken the vast majority of second-team reps in camp, just like he was always set to as QB2. He has had some solid days, including on Sunday when he was able to find Austin Trammell deep for two different touchdowns against what has been an impressive Jaguars secondary. Mullens is the QB2, and that will remain unchanged moving forward.

Perhaps the more interesting question about the No. 2 spot has to do with 2027 since Mullens is set to be a free agent in March. With that said, it feels like a realistic scenario that the Jaguars would sign Mullens to another similar two-year, $4.5 million deal like he signed with them last March.

Carter Bradley Has a QB3 Edge

When it comes to the QB3 battle between Carter Bradley and undrafted rookie quarterback Joey Aguilar, I think Bradley has the edge right now. Nothing is stopping the Jaguars from keeping two quarterbacks on the practice squad, but there are so few reps to go around in practice after training camp that it is unlikely the Jaguars would make such a move. This means that we will get three preseason games of Bradley and Aguilar dueling, and then we get a decision.

Bradley has made plays during training camp and has even impressed in his few reps with the No. 2 offense at times. Aguilar is a bigger passer with a powerful arm, but Bradley has done a good job of making plays with his feet. Both will likely get reps against the Saints on Sunday, and head coach Liam Coen detailed on Tuesday what he expects from Bradley.

"He's going to get a good amount of play, good amount of burn. I really want to see Carter just go execute the offense at a high level. Eliminate any pre-snaps, the delays or pre-snap motion issues. Like, don't overthink it," Coen said.

"Don't overanalyze it, man. Just go play one play at a time, execute the offense, and then let your playmaking skills take over. You guys saw it all season where, on our scout team, he's out there running around, making plays, making throws, running around, doing some good things. And so, you ultimately want to just see him operate, but also, man, do what also makes you good and how you like to play. I don't want to take that away, but we can't have some of the pre-snaps and things. Want it to be clean.”

Add us as a preferred source on Google