Equipped with a defense that nearly led the way to the franchise making its first Super Bowl appearance, the Jaguars are set for an interesting few weeks regarding their quarterback situation.
Blake Bortles has a critical physical coming up in March. If the quarterback who underwent wrist surgery shortly after the AFC championship game cannot pass it, his fifth-year option becomes guaranteed. But if he does, the Jags can shed Bortles’ $19MM 2018 salary free of charge.
And that would open the door to the team looking for an upgrade on the market. The team is exploring its options with UFA quarterbacks, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reports.
The Jags potentially entering the Kirk Cousins race could change that pursuit’s dynamic, with the AFC South champions armed with a top-flight defense and presenting the kind of winning situation Cousins covets. A.J. McCarron, Sam Bradford and, as of now, Case Keenum could be options as well. Keenum, though, is also a franchise tag candidate in Minnesota.
A recent report emerged indicating the Jaguars were planning to keep Bortles as their starter for a fifth year, and that would support the organization’s decision to put off a surgery — one reportedly known to be needed last offseason — until recently. And Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union tweets the “actively exploring” phrase might be a bit strong for what the Jags are currently doing regarding the quarterback market.
Bortles’ fifth-year option becomes guaranteed if he’s on the roster by March 14, Day 1 of free agency, so the legal tampering period (March 12-14) could be a chance for the team to explore options with its incumbent starter still on the roster as insurance. That would be a tricky situation to balance, but a Jaguars quarterback upgrade could make them a threat to unseat the Patriots come January.
Release Bortles and trade for Eli. This gives the Jags a SuperBowl caliber QB it gives Eli a chance for another ring before he retires and it sheds Eli’s contract and allows the Giants the ability to take a QB with the 2nd overall pick. I feel it’s the best case scenario for all involved.