Like you and me, Blake Bortles wants to play in the NFL
By John Buhler
Blake Bortles is still a free agent, hoping to find a new NFL team to join.
Blake Bortles was so close to playing in Super Bowl 52, and now he’s out of the league.
Bortles was the No. 3 overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2014 NFL Draft, spending his first five NFL seasons there. Though much-maligned during his Jaguars tenure, he nearly quarterbacked the 2017 Jaguars to the Super Bowl. Bortles spent last season backing up Jared Goff with the Los Angeles Rams. He’s patiently waiting for his next NFL opportunity to arrive.
According to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network, “While NFL teams explore “Quarantine QB” options, free agent Blake Bortles plans to stay patient and wait for the right opportunity to actually get on the field, per source. He’s staying in shape and throwing several times a week. An experienced vet available as injuries strike.”
While NFL teams explore “Quarantine QB” options, free agent Blake Bortles plans to stay patient and wait for the right opportunity to actually get on the field, per source. He’s staying in shape and throwing several times a week. An experienced vet available as injuries strike.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 3, 2020
Will Blake Bortles find work this year in the NFL or will he sit 2020 out?
At this time, Bortles is a backup quarterback who can spot-start for you if you get in a bind. Throwing mechanics and inconsistencies led to his downfall in Jacksonville. However, a team could use his mobility and toughness to help them win games if their quarterback goes down, especially if the club he’s joining is a defensive-minded one. He has no chance on an offense-first NFL team.
Though it’s going to have to be the perfect spot for him, two teams immediately jump off the page for potential Bortles backup jobs should it hit the fan: The Green Bay Packers and the Las Vegas Raiders. His former Jaguars offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is on Matt LaFleur’s staff in Green Bay, as is another former Jacksonville offensive coordinator in Greg Olson in Las Vegas.
Of course, Aaron Rodgers and Derek Carr will have to get injured before Bortles is realistically considered as a viable backup. He’d definitely back up Marcus Mariota in Sin City. As for backing up Jordan Love, wouldn’t it be ridiculous if it’s Bortles Time in Lambeau? Sir Blake Bortles, the Dark Knight of Garbage Time coming in to save the day for all the soul-crushed Cheesheads.
If we’re looking at other potential opportunities for him to play, do you think he has a better chance to beat out Jake Fromm with the Buffalo Bills should Josh Allen succumb to injury? If Tyrod Taylor goes down, wouldn’t Bortles be a decent backup to rookie Justin Herbert? Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn may love Easton Stick, but Bortles has won playoff games.
dark. Next. Is it fair to call Josh Rosen a bust or simply unlucky?
Ultimately, Bortles has a decent shot to end up on an NFL roster at some point. His former teammates seemed to like him and he’s played in big games before. If Ryan Tannehill succumbs to injury, would Bortles sign up to play for the Jaguars’ biggest rival in the Tennessee Titans? Again, we’ve seen crazier things happen. We should expect Bortles back in our lives at some point.
Bortles may have to keep waiting, but his next NFL opportunity will be knocking here shortly.