JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The saying goes, being a backup quarterback is the best job in the NFL. They get paid millions to watch from the sidelines, while the starter handles all the pressure. But sometimes, your number gets called. That’s exactly what happened to C.J. Beathard during the most crucial stretch of the last Jaguars season.
"I hadn't started a meaningful game in years, so I was excited for the opportunity to finally get in a start against Carolina, a meaningful game that we had to win," Beathard said. "My confidence was high. I was confident in myself, confident in the team. You just got to be ready when your number's called."
That confidence for Beathard stemmed from Trevor Lawrence enduring his fair share of beatings in the final half of the season.
"When Trevor was dinged up here and there, really not until late in the week did I realize that I wouldn't be starting until Thursday, Friday, or late in the week," Beathard explained. "So, I was able to get a lot of reps with the starters, with the Christian Kirks, with the Evan Engrams and stuff like that. That helped me develop timing with those guys."
Those reps helped immensely, as Beathard appeared in five games and won his lone start. It seemed like he had secured his position for another season, until the Jaguars traded for Mac Jones.
"I was caught off guard by it, but at the end of the day in this business, you can't really be caught off guard by anything," Beathard said. "I've been in it for eight years and I've seen some crazy stuff go on. I just learned to stay in my lane and do what I can do. Don't focus on the outside stuff."
Despite Beathard doing the best a backup could do and going into year four with the Jaguars, his job is still up in the air as he and Jones are competing for the best position in the NFL.