It’s been a rough campaign for Blake Bortles. He was benched (twice), his team is back to its losing ways, and he very well could be out of a job quite soon. Bortles’ play on the field in 2018 left a lot to be desired — and that’s putting it lightly — but the entire Jacksonville Jaguars offense was in shambles this season.
Earlier this week, we wrote about how Bortles was the 29th-highest graded — or fifth lowest among the 33 qualifying quarterbacks — in Pro Football Focus’ final quarterback ranking list from the 2018 season. Now we are writing about NFL.com’s 2018 year-end QB Index, in which Bortles was ranked even lower.
“Around The NFL” Editor Greg Rosenthal slotted Bortles in at No. 31. There were 33 total quarterbacks on the list. Bortles was ranked ahead of only two rookies: Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills (32) and Josh Rosen of the Arizona Cardinals (33). Apparently it was a rough year for rookie signal-callers named Josh.
Ranked just ahead of Bortles on the index was Miami’s Ryan Tannehill (30), Washington’s Alex Smith (29 — and that is simply due to injury or else Smith would likely be much higher) and San Francisco’s undrafted rookie Nick Mullens (28).
Here is what Rosenthal had to say about Bortles:
Jacksonville’s contract extension for Bortles was the worst personnel decision made by any front office last offseason. He’s likely to be released and is no lock to get a backup job.
2018 stats: 13 games | 60.3 pct | 2,718 pass yds | 6.7 ypa | 13 pass TD | 11 INT | 365 rush yds | 1 rush TD
Harsh words from Rosenthal, but unfortunately, he’s probably right about the decision to extend Bortles. Admittedly, I didn’t have an issue with the extension at the time as I thought Bortles’ play last season, and in the postseason in particular, earned him the contract. I of course knew that Bortles wasn’t the most ideal quarterback to have, but I thought he would be able to manage. I was dead wrong.
By all accounts, Bortles is a hard-worker, genuine and caring guy and does a lot for the Jacksonville community. But it’s been proven at this point that the Jaguars can’t win with him at the helm. It will be sad to see Bortles go if he’s released or traded in the offseason, but I think it’s the necessary move at this point — although it isn’t certain, that does seem to be the most likely move. Time will tell.
Bortles finished the 2017 season ranked at No. 24 in last season’s year-end QB Index.
So, this sounds about right for The BOAT. Although, an argument could be made that Bortles should be ranked ahead of Tannehill. What do you think?
Poll
Is the No. 31 year-end ranking...
This poll is closed
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19%
Too low
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35%
Too high (should be below Allen and/or Rosen)
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45%
Just right