Gus Bradley says Blake Bortles will get more time with first team

Chad Henne may be hearing the footsteps in Jacksonville. After another strong preseason performance, No. 2 (for now) Blake Bortles is set to get more time with the first team in the Jaguars’ next preseason game, says head coach Gus Bradley.

More from Jacksonville Jaguars

Bradley said (via Albert Breer) that the plan is for the rookie Bortles to get an entire quarter with the first-team offense when the Jags suit up against the Lions. Playing mostly against the Bears’ second team Thursday night, Bortles was 11-for-17 for 160 yards, and is now 18-of-28 for 277 yards in two preseason appearances.

The way Bortles has played so far this preseason, it’s no surprise that the Jaguars want to get a longer look at him behind the No. 1 offensive line and, presumably, against the opponent’s No. 1 defense.

The plan may be to start the season with Chad Henne behind center but if Bortles continues developing as quickly as he seems to be, Gus Bradley and company may want to scrap that plan and let Bortles go out there. Bortles has looked like the most pro-ready of all the highly-touted rookie QBs in this year’s class, and may already be a better option as a starter than the journeyman Henne.

Certainly, the Jaguars do not want to rush Bortles. But if Bortles is ready to take on a greater role, then you’re not rushing him. As silly as it would be to push him out there before he’s prepared, that’s how silly it would be to needlessly hold him back. The future could be now for Bortles and the Jaguars, and that’s what Bradley and company want to find out by giving him more first team reps.

Like FanSided on Facebook.
Follow Dan Zinski on Twitter
Subscribe to the Fansided Daily Newsletter. Sports news all up in your inbox.

Home/Jacksonville Jaguars