Gardner Minshew

Gardner Flint Minshew II (born May 16, 1996) is an American professional football quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career with the Northwest Mississippi Rangers, winning the NJCAA National Football Championship, and played his next two years for the East Carolina Pirates. Minshew used his final year of eligibility with the Washington State Cougars, setting the Pac-12 Conference season records for passing yards and completions and winning the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award.

Minshew was selected in the sixth round of the 2019 NFL draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he played his first two seasons and set the franchise record for rookie passing touchdowns. Following two seasons as a backup with the Philadelphia Eagles, he became the starter for the Indianapolis Colts in 2023 and earned Pro Bowl honors after setting several career highs. He was named the starter for the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, but was released after one season due to inconsistent play and injuries. Minshew joined the Chiefs as a backup in 2025.

Early life

Minshew was born on May 16, 1996, in Flowood, Mississippi and raised in nearby Brandon by Flint Minshew, a contractor, and Kim Minshew, a middle school math teacher. Kim was also a former women's basketball player at Mississippi State. Minshew and his father adopted Mike Leach's air raid offense playing style while Minshew was playing flag football in seventh grade. While doing so, he formed a strong bond with Wyatt Rogers, the area coach who initially taught him how to enact that style of play. Rogers was the father of future college football quarterback Will Rogers, to whom Minshew became a mentor.