Odds Against Cody Kessler Taking Blake Bortles Job, But Not by Much

• The Jaguars’ season has taken a downwards turn after three straight losses and the starting QB position is now in question
• Can current starter Blake Bortles save his job?
• Or will we see more of Cody Kessler in 2018?

Third-year QB Cody Kessler, previously a backup with Cleveland, signed with Jacksonville this offseason and could be in line to take over as starter with the Jags. Kessler relieved starter Blake Bortles last weekend, which set off something of quarterback controversy in Jacksonville.

The Kessler era won’t start this week, but sportsbooks have released odds on which QB will start more games for Jacksonville over the rest of the regular season. Let’s dig into those.

Jacksonville Starting Quarterback Odds, Week 8-17

The odds favor Bortles keeping his job or at least playing a majority of the remainder of 2018. Head Coach Doug Marrone announced on Monday that he would remain the starter but would be kept on a “short leash”.

Statement from Head Coach Doug Marrone:

"I spoke to both quarterbacks this afternoon and told them that Blake will be our team's starting quarterback. I believe this gives us the best opportunity to win." pic.twitter.com/eDXVHtUrTf

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) October 22, 2018

The QB controversy was ignited after Bortles and the Jags went down 20-0 at home to the Texans on Sunday. Kessler was brought off the bench in the second half and led the Jags to their only touchdown. The Jags still lost, but Kessler’s stats were a lot more promising that Bortles’.

Kessler finished the game 21/30 for 156 yards and one TD and INT. For Jacksonville it was their third straight loss—a streak which has seen them outscored 90-28.

Cody Kessler is in the game, and finds T.J. Yeldon for the score!

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/8dkSjhhy65

— PFF (@PFF) October 21, 2018

Can Bortles Save His Job?

The Jaguars have never been dynamic on offense and typically win games with one of the league’s top defenses. Despite wins often coming in spite of Bortles, 2017 saw Blake throw a career-low in INTs with at 13, and finish with a career-high completion-percentage of 60.2.

The Jags made a playoff run to the AFC Championship Game and Bortles played some of this best football.

"Ya’ll walk in here, ya’ll see how it is in here.Ya’ll see how we vide with each other, how we vide toward the coaches.Ya’ll see how it is. It’s no secret what’s going on here right now. Ain’t nobody going to say it bc u know, we can’t. It ain’t no secret what’s going on” -Ramsey

— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 21, 2018

That playoff equity is beginning to run out and Bortles seems to be losing the faith of his teammates as well. After Sunday’s loss, media members walked in on a heated argument in the team dressing room and Jags’ CB Jalen Ramsey seemed to hint quite directly as to what (or who) the problem is.

Everybody loves a backup quarterback, particularly when the starter has been struggling. However, it’s been a while since Kessler started a game under centre, and he made only three relief appearances last year. For significant starting experience, you have to go back to Kessler’s rookie year (2016) in which he made eight starts with the Browns.

Cody Kessler is 1-11 in career games (all with the Cleveland Browns) with a 63.76 completion percentage, 6 TDs and 3 INTs.

(And this is one of the only photos we have of him…) pic.twitter.com/z7AIMWDFFR

— Post Sports (@PostSports) October 21, 2018

It’s a much smaller sample size but you’ll see from the chart below that each QB has an edge in certain categories. Kessler has never won a game he started, but he played for Cleveland. We’ll give him the benefit of the doubt there.

He was a part of the last Cleveland win prior to their historical losing streak. He made a relief appearance in their 20-17 win over the then San Diego Chargers on December 24, 2016.

Bortles vs Kessler Career Stats

Bet On London Saving Blake

Some may wonder why Jacksonville makes the trip to London more than any other team. But the Jags welcome the trip across the pond as they actually make more revenue through the agreement than by staying in Jacksonville.

You know who else welcomes the trip? Blake Bortles. Bortles is the best player in NFL London history. In fact he’s 3-0 in the Jags’ last three trips. You can attribute part of that to the opposition (the 2015 Buffalo Bills and 2016 Indianapolis Colts) but in 2017 the Jaguars beat the perfectly fine Baltimore Ravens.

Bortles is certainly not the solution long-term, but fortunately neither is Cody Kessler. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Bortles get benched again down the line, but don’t expect to see Kessler carrying the load the rest of the season.

Bet: Blake Bortles -175