Jacksonville Jaguars still want Chad Henne over Blake Bortles
Somehow the Jaguars are sticking to their word that they will start Chad Henne Sept. 7 in week one over rookie quarterback Blake Bortles that has definitely impressed so far this preseason.
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While Henne has not done bad whatsoever, Bortles stats are more impressive. Bortles has looked like a veteran quarterback throughout the preseason but head coach, Gus Bradley announced in the press conference after Jacksonville’s 13-12 loss to Detroit Friday that Henne would be the starter week one.
Against Detroit, Henne went 9 for 14 with 70 yards and was sacked twice compared to Bortles who went 10 for 16, 158 yards and one touchdown while also being sacked but just once.
Bortles has led Jacksonville in passing in each of the Jaguars’ first three preseason games. He’s gone 28 for 44, 435 yards and one touchdown. This compares to Henne’s 25 for 38 for 230 yards and one touchdown.
Bortles is ready to be an NFL quarterback right now and even his teammates are seeing it.
“In the huddle he’s just one of those guys you don’t necessarily know if he’s happy, if he’s sad,” tight end Mercedes Lewis said to ESPN.com. “He’s just even-keeled and that’s something that you develop normally as you get more years in the league and you kind of get a grasp of what’s going on around you. He has that right now.”
The Jaguars have made it clear that they don’t want Bortles to play this season, but at what point do they have to give in? If Bortles can put up stats in their final preseason game against the Falcons, Gus Bradley might just be scratching his head.