Blake Bortles will get his job back in Week 8. Doug Marrone announced Monday the longtime Jaguars starter’s run of first-string work will continue, despite being benched on Sunday.
Cody Kessler relieved Bortles in a loss to the Texans, but Marrone believes the fifth-year quarterback provides the Jags with “the best opportunity to win.” However, Bortles will have a “short leash,” per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter).
Kessler will get reps with the Jags’ starting offense this week in practice, Schefter adds, but the job remains Bortles’. Kessler completed 21 of 30 passes for 156 yards in the Jags’ 20-7 home loss, their third straight defeat. Bortles fumbled twice and was yanked after completing just six passes. His 46.1 Total QBR sits 23rd in the NFL and is down considerably from last season’s mark. Bortles has thrown for 1,735 yards, with nine touchdowns and eight interceptions, this season.
This is obviously interesting given Jacksonville’s offseason. The Jags avoided the most extensive quarterback market in years and re-signed Bortles to an extension. While it wasn’t a big-money deal, at $18MM per year, the team didn’t add much in the way of competition for its maligned starter, only trading a late-round pick for Kessler. With the Jags still holding the NFL’s No. 1-ranked defense, Bortles’ inconsistency continues to plague the team.
They really have no other option. If you are stuck choosing between Bortles and Kessler you pretty much have to take Bortles.
Does anybody know how much guaranteed money is on Bortles’ deal? If they can part with him easily this offseason I don’t see how they don’t add a new quarterback.
I think there is minimal guarantees after this year
Sheep to the slaughter. Should sign Kap
Swap him for Carr. Of course other pieces would need to be involved.
Derek Carr for Blake Bortles and a first?
No running game and mediocre receivers, not much for him to work with.
If Hyde can reestablish a run game Bortles will be average again but I wouldn’t put any money on that