Jaguars should consider Colin Kaepernick after Bortles fiasco

With Blake Bortles already struggling at training camp, Colin Kaepernick should be on the Jaguars’ radar.

After what looked like a breakout 2015 season, garbage-time driven or otherwise, Blake Bortles dropped off across the board last season. But no competition was brought in by the Jacksonville Jaguars, and new front office lead Tom Coughlin, and the team picked up his fifth-year option for 2018.

It’s obviously very early in training camp, but Michael DiRocco of ESPN.com pointed to Saturday’s practice as the worst of Bortles’ career, including five interceptions thrown. Head coach Doug Marrone is, perhaps rightfully so, concerned and already talking about scaling back the playbook.

"I think any time someone doesn’t perform to what you want to do, you’re concerned about it,” Marrone said. “He’s not the only one that’s out there. There’s some good things."

"“We’re going to look at it. We’re going to look at those plays. If there’s any struggle or things we don’t like, then obviously we’re going to be smart enough to throw that crap out.”"

Marrone also suggested he would have not offer confidence building reinforcement for his quarterback.

"“If I’ve got to do that now, then we’re going to be in trouble.”"

Bortles leads the NFL in turnovers since entering the league, with 63 (51 interceptions, 12 lost fumbles) over his three seasons. Some of his giveaways have been comical in their ineptitude, but a continued inability to take care of the ball by Bortles could derail a potentially promising 2017 season for the Jaguars.

The Jaguars used a sixth-round pick on Brandon Allen in 2016 and veteran backup Chad Henne has not attempted a pass since 2014. Other than a veiled vote of confidence by picking up his contract option, the Jaguars can not and should not have any commitment to Bortles.

The biggest elephant in the NFL room right now is the ongoing availability of Colin Kaepernick. There is some idea he would have to be regarded as more than a “camp arm,” and Joe Flacco’s back injury has opened up a possible opportunity with the Baltimore Ravens before Week 1. But the Jaguars should now be at the front of the line for Kaepernick.

Kaepernick is obviously not a prototypical pocket passer. But he threw just four interceptions in 331 pass attempts for the 49ers in 2016 and added 468 yards on the ground in 11 games. Getting him in the mix soon would allow Kaepernick to start learning the Jaguars’ offense, and perhaps also start a late competition with Bortles for the starting job,

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars