JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – By not adding a quarterback in the draft or free agency the Jacksonville Jaguars front office handed the keys of the franchise to Blake Bortles for the 2017 season. This is likely the final opportunity for Bortles to prove that he is their quarterback of the future. Entering year number four the former No. 3 overall pick has been inconsistent at best.
That’s one of the reasons why the Jaguars were in no rush to exercise their fifth-year team option on Bortles. If he has a good season the Jaguars could sign him to a long term extension. If he struggles they could cut ties and start over at the quarterback position. Bortles is a self-aware guy and knows what’s riding on this season but in spite of that he’s not letting the pressure get to him.
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“Last year I thought about things too much and obviously that didn't work out to well,” said Bortles who had a 48.9 QB rating in 2016. “To be able to free the mind and just go play football. To enjoy it and have fun and make as many big plays as we possibly can is the goal."
Most of Bortles’ offseason was spent in California working with the 3DQB group. He went back to the west coast in the time between the end of the offseason program and the start of training camp. Now that Bortles is back in Jacksonville he's still confident his time spent in California will pay off this season.
“Going back out to Cali was about grooving everything and making everything consistent," said Bortles. “Now it's about the thought process the decision making and the accuracy. All of the football related things. It felt good.”
Mechanics were a major issue for Bortles last season. Although its small sample size Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone can already see improvement.
“I think Bortles has done a good job maintaining the footwork and mechanics,” said Marrone following the first day of training camp. “Now he has to keep it going.”
Under Marrone the Jaguars want to be a more physical football team that establishes the run first. A strong run game is something that Bortles has never had in his NFL career. In 2016 he was tied for the team lead in rushing touchdowns (3) with running back Chris Ivory. Also last season Bortles threw the ball an average of 37 times per game. In theory the Jaguars would like that number to be under 30 and they believe Bortles can do more if he’s asked to do less.
"I'll throw the ball 5 times or 50 times," said Bortles. "Whatever can help us win or put up efficient points I'm good with.”