Blake Bortles: 5 possible replacements in Jacksonville
A new regime has offered a commitment to quarterback Blake Bortles, but here are five possible replacement options for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made a change at head coach, essentially promoting Doug Marrone to the permanent post. A flash back to the past has come at the top of the organization, with the franchise’s original head coach, Tom Coughlin, being brought in as executive vice president of football operations.
Marrone and Coughlin were officially introduced on Thursday morning, and Coughlin said Blake Bortles “is our quarterback.” The Jaguars have a decision to make on the fifth-year option for Bortles this offseason, so that seems likely to happen based on Coughlin’s words.
But Bortles regressed big time in 2016, dropping from 35 touchdown passes and 4,428 yards in 2015 to 23 touchdowns and 3,905 yards. He worked on his mechanics during the season, and after the season ended Bortles suggested he will spend 10 weeks this offseason working on mechanical issues.
Bortles also said he played this past season with two shoulder separations and wrist tendinitis, which can be considered a reason for his struggles or a convenient excuse for such a dramatic drop-off. But it’s safe to say Bortles has to rebound next season, along with improvement in the Jaguars’ win total.
The Jaguars may consider bringing in someone to compete with Bortles for the starting job immediately, or the group of quarterbacks in this or next year’s draft could offer some viable options for down the road. With all of that in mind, here are five potential (eventual?) replacements for Bortles as the Jaguars’ starting quarterback.
5. Brandon Allen
After being drafted in the sixth round out of Arkansas last spring, Allen saw no regular season action as Jacksonville’s third-string quarterback. Veteran Chad Henne has another year left on his contract, but the fact he only played one game (zero pass attempts) in 2016 amid Bortles’ season-long face-plant says it all.
Allen could become Bortles’ immediate backup going into next season, and it’s not out of the question for him to become a starting option beyond that.