Blake Bortles is getting paid. The signal caller and the Jacksonville Jaguars agreed on a three-year deal, one that will keep him with the franchise that drafted him third overall in the 2014 NFL Draft through the 2020 campaign. The news of the two sides working on a deal was first reported by Josina Anderson of ESPN.
A league source says the #Jaguars and Blake Bortles are working on a contract extension.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 25, 2018
Soon after, Adam Schefter of the worldwide leader added in the details of the deal. Schefter reported that the deal is for three years, and that Bortles can make up to $66.5 million. In a far more important detail, Bortles isn’t getting a ton of guaranteed cash, as he’s only in line to receive $26.5 million from Jacksonville.
Jaguars are giving QB Blake Bortles a new three-year, $54 million deal, worth up to $66.5M with incentives, that includes $26.5M guaranteed, tying him to Jacksonville through the 2020 season, per source.
Jacksonville out of QB market.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2018
Schefter also pointed out how doing this allows flexibility for the Jaguars.
Jacksonville’s three-year, $54 million deal with Blake Bortles essentially serves as a bridge for both:
It allows Bortles time to shine and try to earn another lucrative extension – or for the team to have added time to find another QB.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 25, 2018
Jacksonville was one of the biggest surprises in the NFL this season, going from 3-13 in 2016 to 10-6 and the AFC Championship Game in 2017. Much of the credit is given to the team’s aggressive defense and league-best running back, but even if he didn’t light the world on fire, Bortles posted a career-high in completion percentage (60.2 percent) and a career-low in interceptions (11).
Bortles is still a game manager, but there is still room for him to grow under center in Jacksonville. Even if that doesn’t happen, and Bortles is what he is as a quarterback right now, everyone can at least take solace in knowing that keeping him around will make Jason Mendoza happy.
