If Trevor Lawrence can't play for the Jaguars, here's what to know about backup C.J. Beathard
If Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is unable to play Sunday at Cleveland, No. 2 C.J. Beathard will start in his place.
Jaguars fans might try to put aside their fears. Beathard, 29, is a seven-year NFL veteran and is highly regarded by the coaching staff and teammates for his leadership, experience and accuracy. He has played in 27 NFL games with two teams, the Jaguars and San Francisco, and has started 12 games.
"I've got a lot of confidence in C.J.," Jaguars coach Doug Pederson said earlier this season. He always prepares like he's going to start and he'll be ready like he always is."
In the last three years with the Jaguars, Beathard (6 feet 2, 215 pounds) has appeared in eight games in backup duty for Lawrence, completing 11 of 15 passes (73.3 percent) for 77 yards. For his NFL career, Beathard has thrown for 3,546 yards, 18 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, but he has only one pick in his last 119 attempts, covering his last four years in the league.
Jaguars fans may also remember that Beathard had to play against Buffalo in 2021 when Lawrence was injured late in the second quarter. Beathard threw a 28-yard pass to Dan Arnold and benefited from a roughing the passer penalty to get the ball to the Bills’ 20 with 1:33 left in the half. However, Carlos Hyde fumbled to end the drive and Lawrence was able to return to the game, won by the Jaguars 9-6.
In three preseasons with the Jags, Beathard has thrown for 747 yards and five touchdowns, completing 63 percent of his passes.
Here’s what else to know about Beathard.
Where did C.J. Beathard play high school football?
He played high school football at Battle Ground Academy near Nashville, where he led all high school quarterbacks in Tennessee in passing yards, completions and touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons. He threw for 2,148 yards and 23 touchdowns in his senior season.
Where did C.J. Beathard play in college?
Beathard played college football at Iowa where the Hawkeyes had a 21-7 record when he was starting. Beathard once had a streak of 155 passes in a row without an interception and led Iowa to a 12-0 regular season record in 2015 when he threw for 2,570 yards, 14 TDs and three interceptions. He was named second-team All-Big Ten by the conference coaches and media.
Who picked C.J. Beathard in the NFL Draft?
Beathard was drafted in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft by the 49ers. After three seasons as a backup, he was signed by the Jaguars to a two-year, $5 million contract. Gardner Minshew was traded after the final preseason game, leaving Beathard as the primary backup to Lawrence.
Talent runs in the Beathard family
Beathard is part of a talented family in sports and music. His grandfather, Bobby Beathard, was the director of player personnel for the Miami Dolphins when they won Super Bowls in 1974 and 1975 and was then general manager for the Washington Commanders from 1978 to 1989 and was the architect of two more Super Bowl teams.
Beathard's great-uncle Pete Beathard played quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Oilers.
Beathard's father, Casey Beathard, is a county music songwriter and his brother Tucker is a performer.
How was C.J. Beathard's brother killed?
There has been tragedy in his family. Beathard's younger brother Clay, who played quarterback for Long Island University, was fatally stabbed outside a Nashville bar in 2019. A man was convicted of first-degree murder in March of 2022.
How much does C.J. Beathard make?
Beathard is making $2,180,000 this season, with a base pay of $1,080,000 and signing and roster bonuses totaling $900,000. The Jaguars extended his contract another two years in February.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: C.J. Beathard: What you should know about Jaguars' backup quarterback
