Arizona Cardinals may have intriguing option in 2018
By Jim Koch
If the Jacksonville Jaguars were to decline the option on quarterback Blake Bortles would the Arizona Cardinals be interested?
Everyone is aware that the Arizona Cardinals need a quarterback to carry them into the future. Many fans believe that one of the team’s 2017 draft picks will be used on the anointed one. But if the organization is willing to exercise patience, an intriguing option may be avaliable next offseason.
Rumors are circulating that the Jacksonville Jaguars may be looking to move on from their 2014 first-round draft pick, Blake Bortles. Word is that they will be declining the fifth-year option on their starting signal-caller’s contract. If they do, Bortles would become an unrestricted free agent in 2018.
On paper, Bortles is everything the Cards covet in a quarterback. The former third-overall pick of the ’14 draft has excellent size (6’5″, 229), a cannon for an arm and youth (still just 25-years old). If he was a part of this year’s draft, he’d most likely be the organization’s top choice to replace Carson Palmer.
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After struggling in 13 starts as a rookie in ’14 (17 interceptions, just a 58.9 completion percentage), Bortles bounced back during his sophomore campaign. While his completion percentage was still poor (58.6), he did throw for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns. The Jags were thrilled, and looked for their franchise passer to continue his impressive play in 2016.
His numbers in ’16 weren’t horrible (23 touchdowns, 3,905 yards), but the squad won just three games. Much of the blame was placed upon the head of Bortles. Head coach Gus Bradley was given his walking papers as a result.
Bortles certainly deserves some criticism, but the Jags’ failures weren’t all his fault. Since entering the NFL, his team hasn’t had much of a running game. In addition, Bortles was sacked 106 times in his first two years alone.
Could the product of Central Florida resurrect his career in the desert? It wasn’t to Bortles benefit playing for a defensive-minded head coach like Bradley during his three seasons in the league. It would be quite the opposite in Arizona, learning under offensive gurus such as Bruce Arians and Tom Moore.
The 2017 draft class is not rich in quarterback talent. The worst thing the front office could do is reach for one that isn’t up to par. If the Cardinals are willing to wait, perhaps Bortles could be exactly what they need.