The Jacksonville Jaguars made a roster shakeup this week, releasing veteran backup quarterback Nick Mullens and signing former TCU standout Max Duggan.
While Mullens has long been known as a steady veteran presence, Coach Ke made it clear this decision was about fit and familiarity. Duggan, though yet to find success at the NFL level, has a history with Ke’s offensive concepts and is considered a natural fit in Jacksonville’s scheme. “If Trevor ever has to miss snaps, I want someone who can step in and keep the offense flowing the way we run it,” Ke explained.
Duggan, best remembered for his fiery leadership and playmaking at TCU with the Horned Frogs, now gets a chance to revitalize his career. Under Ke’s leadership, the Jaguars believe Duggan’s mobility, toughness, and understanding of spread concepts could translate into him being a reliable safety net behind franchise QB Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence himself welcomed the move, telling reporters, “I like it. Max knows how to compete. If something ever happened to me, I know Coach wants somebody who can keep us rolling. I think Max can do that.”
For his part, Duggan is ready to embrace the challenge. “All I’ve ever asked for is a real shot,” he said. “Coach Ke believes in me, and I’m gonna be ready if my number’s called. I know what this offense can do, and I’m excited to be part of it.”
Critics will point out Duggan’s struggles in previous NFL stops, but Jacksonville isn’t asking him to be a star — just a capable QB2. With one of the league’s most prolific offenses already in place, Ke views Duggan as a perfect insurance policy. “Max doesn’t have to be Trevor. He just has to be ready, and I trust him to do that in our system,” Ke reiterated.
The move also raises a key question: Does this signing free up the Jaguars from needing to draft a backup quarterback in the upcoming draft? If Duggan truly gives the staff confidence, Jacksonville can use those picks to reinforce other areas of the roster. It’s small, under-the-radar moves like this that often separate teams who flash for a season from teams who sustain success over a full cycle.
