Odds Say Jaguars Will Move on From Blake Bortles in 2019
- Jacksonville drafted Blake Bortles no. 3 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft (two spots ahead of Khalil Mack).
- Bortles, who’s led NFL in turnovers and pick-sixes since his pro debut, was benched after Week 12.
- Veteran passers will be available this offseason, likely spelling the end of Bortles’ tenure in Jacksonville.
The Blake Bortles era looks to be over in Jacksonville with the news that the quarterback has lost his job as the Jaguars starter following a 24-21 defeat in Buffalo in Week 12.
The team signed Bortles to a big contract extension last offseason, so it’s not a guarantee that his time as the Jags starter is over. But odds on whether he’ll start in Week 1 of the 2019 season suggests that the team is going to cut its losses.
Will Bortles Start for the Jaguars in Week 1, 2019?
| Will Blake Bortles be the Jaguars’ starting QB in Week 1 of the 2019 season? | Odds |
|---|---|
| Yes | +200 |
| No | -300 |
With the loss, the Jaguars have now dropped seven straight outings to fall to 3-8 on the season, while the move by coach Doug Marrone to sit Bortles leaves the five-year veteran pegged as a longshot to regain starter’s job for game one next year, sporting +200 odds.
Bortles has produced mixed results in five NFL seasons
Drafted third overall in the 2015 NFL Draft following an impressive three-year collegiate career at UCF, Bortles has produced mixed results over his five seasons at the helm of the Jaguars offence. The 26-year-old emerged as one of the few bright spots of Jacksonville’s 2015 season, tossing for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns. He was also key to the squad’s first divisional title in two decades last season.
Blake Bortles – 3rd overall pick in the 2014 Draft. Since that time he leads all of #NFL in:
•INT's
•Total Turnovers
•Pick 6's Thrown#JAGUARS pic.twitter.com/IGdagbN8zB— NFL EXPERT PICKS (@NFL_expertpicks) November 27, 2018
However, Bortles has been among the league leaders in interceptions thrown in each of his NFL campaigns, and has also committed the most turnovers and tossed the most pick sixes in the league since turning pro.
The decision to turn the ball over to Cody Kessler for the remainder of this season … likely spells the end of Bortles’ tenure in Jacksonville
While Bortles still has two years remaining on a three-year deal worth $54 million, the decision to turn the ball over to Cody Kessler for the remainder of this season and the availability of several veteran passers this winter likely spells the end of Bortles’ tenure in Jacksonville.
Kessler is no stranger to adversity
A third-round selection by the Cleveland Browns in the 2016 NFL Draft, Kessler has appeared in just one game with the Jaguars this season, racking up 156 passing yards and one score in Jacksonville’s 20-7 loss to Houston in Week 7.
"A great opportunity…"
— @CodyKessler6#JaguarsSTORY:https://t.co/H6gtdGiFcy
— John Oehser (@JohnOehser) November 28, 2018
Kessler is no stranger to adversity. The 25-year-old was unexpectedly pressed into service as Cleveland’s starter in his rookie season following injuries to Robert Griffin III and Josh McCown, compiling 1,380 yards and six touchdowns in nine appearances with the woeful 1-15 Browns. The over/under on his passing yards against the Colts this Sunday is pegged at just 235.5 yards.
Manning, Flacco among potential Bortles replacements
Several veteran passers facing uncertain futures are candidates to take over the starter role in Jacksonville next season. Following a fifth losing season in six years with the New York Giants, Eli Manning could be conducting a job search this winter.
Analysis: Jameis Winston, Eli Manning among NFL QBs who could be on the move this offseason https://t.co/eeDDzFFran
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) November 8, 2018
Elsewhere, the emergence of former Heisman Trophy-winner Lamar Jackson could mean a change of address is in the works for Baltimore Ravens pivot Joe Flacco, while Jameis Winston remains on thin ice in Tampa Bay. Not only did he miss the first three games of the season to suspension, he’s been incredibly shaky in six appearances since returning.
With Marrone on the rise as a leading candidate to be the next NFL head coach to be relieved of his duties, Bortles’ NFL future becomes even more uncertain, fueling short -300 odds of him not returning as the Jaguars’ starting passer next season.
Daniel has been writing about sports and sports betting for over 23 years. The seasoned pro has contributed to the likes of Sports Illustrated, Sportsnet, NESN, Bleacher Report, OddsShark, the Globe and Mail, and The Nation magazine.
