Moeller: Nick Mullens Reassures His Role as Trevor Lawrence's Backup

 Nick Mullens’ stock rose.

Like a stock, you want to see it rise and feel safe about it. And most times, don't touch it.

It's just another reminder of the NFL backup quarterback. 

After his performance against New Orleans in the preseason opener, Mullens certainly caused some queasy stomachs for Jaguars’ fans. 

He was 3-for-7 for 33 yards and an interception.

This is the same backup quarterback designated behind Trevor Lawrence. Did you feel good about that?

Mullens redeemed himself with a 6-for-7, 65-yard performance against Carolina last week.

Probably the most important player behind our starting quarterback is your backup quarterback. 

Yes, you can make the argument that a dominant position player is more vital. But how have you felt when Lawrence has been knocked out of a game or has to leave for a number of plays?  

Talk about a nervous stomach or agita. 

You were probably wondering what happened to Jacksonville native Mac Jones, who the Jags let walk away? 

Jones completed 65.3 percent of his passes for 1,672 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. Also , Jones had a 54 percent rate of incompletions in the red zone, which was tied for the second worst in the NFL. 

Still, the Jaguars should have brought back Jones instead of allowing him to go to the other coast with the 49ers.

But, barring any waive wire moves, Mullens will be Lawrence’s backup this season.   

Jaguars’ boss Liam Coen liked what he saw against Carolina from the 31-year-old Mullens, who is in his second year with the team. He played in five games  in mop-up duty last year, connecting on all of his three passes. 

“I thought he did some good things,” said Coen. “ They didn’t have all of their starters in there, but he was on time and in rhythm getting the ball out.”

Mullens will probably see some time in the Jags' preseason finale at home against Tampa Bay Friday as will Joey Aguilar and Carter Bradley, who are both battling for the third spot. 

If anything, Jaguars’ fans want to see more positives from Mullens. He has shown that he can be a capable backup. A rumor had the Jags looking into Eagles’ backup  and longtime veteran Andy Dalton, who could lose his job to Tanner McKee in Philly.

Whoever it is, you want to know the backup is capable, but you just don’t want to see him in the game.