With Russell Wilson set to miss starts for the first time in his NFL tenure, the Seahawks are shorthanded at quarterback behind starter Geno Smith. They brought in a veteran for a workout Tuesday.
Blake Bortles made the trip to Seattle for an audition, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. Bortles has been out of football since the Packers cut him earlier this year.
The Packers released Bortles at the outset of their training camp, doing so after Aaron Rodgers reported to the team. Bortles has bounced around since his scrutinized run as the Jaguars’ starting quarterback ended after the 2018 season. The former No. 3 overall pick has spent time with the Rams, Broncos and Packers since the Jags cut him in 2019.
Seattle has only Smith on its active roster at quarterback. The team has preferred to carry only two passers during much of Wilson’s career. That strategy made sense given Wilson’s durability. But the finger injury he suffered in Week 5 will bring his 149-start streak to an end, moving Smith into the QB1 seat. The Seahawks have second-year QB Jake Luton on their practice squad.
RIP 2021 Seattle Seahawks
Bortles might end up being a better option than Smith, if he can also learn the playbook quickly. But that bit of speculation aside, Bortles might end up a decent fit. He has a good arm, and is athletic enough to run the bootlegs, RPOs, and other assorted plays that the Seahawks have been using with Wilson. Obviously the results will likely be different in terms of success, but he should have the ability to run them.
Bortles might be the best option currently available. I think he has more between the ears than Geno who really has no concept of the importance of ball security.
Agreed. I have to say as a caveat though that I was more impressed with Geno’s play this past game than I thought I’d be, but he’ll have to sustain that to make me a believer.
Would Cam or RGIII be a possibility? Geno is ok but i wouldnt trust him for multiple games as a starter. I have seen him as a Jets starter and you can tell he didnt have the it to be a successful starting qb. Im not saying Cam or RGIII is mvp quality but they can step in and hold the fort down pretty well i would think.
I would like to see a matt moore get a chance. I know he is older but he was always solid unless age has really hit him hard.