{"id":38326,"date":"2018-02-24T20:20:35","date_gmt":"2018-02-25T01:20:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=38326"},"modified":"2018-02-24T20:20:35","modified_gmt":"2018-02-25T01:20:35","slug":"jaguars-sign-blake-bortles-extension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/02\/24\/jaguars-sign-blake-bortles-extension\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville Jaguars Sign Blake Bortles to Contract Extension"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a> are reportedly finalizing a multi-year extension for quarterback Blake Bortles<\/a><\/strong>. While not yet confirmed as official, Ian Rapoport<\/strong> states it’s “essentially done.” The new deal would keep the quarterback on the roster through the 2020 season.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/RapSheet\/status\/967554521802203136<\/p>\n

The Jaguars finished the season with a 10-6 record and sat on top of the AFC South. Their appearance in the postseason was the first for the club since 2007. They defeated the Buffalo Bills<\/a> on their home field and the Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> on the road. The Jaguars made it to the AFC title game and eventually fell<\/a> to the New England Patriots<\/a>.<\/p>\n

His 60.2 percent completion percentage marks the highest of his young career. He finished with 3,687 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.<\/p>\n

The new deal is reported as being a three-year, $54 million deal, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/AdamSchefter\/status\/967556260974465024<\/p>\n

Bortles struggled mightily\u00a0to begin the season and head coach Doug Marrone<\/a><\/strong> was on record as saying they “wanted to run the ball on every play.” The Jags played most of the season missing a few of their key receivers. Allen Robinson<\/a><\/strong> tore his ACL very early in the season. Both Allen Hurns<\/a><\/strong> and Marqise Lee<\/a> <\/strong>missed significant time, giving way to impressive rookie debuts by both Keelan Cole<\/a><\/strong> and Dede Westbrook<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

The Jaguars selected Bortles third overall in the 2014 draft. He had a rough rookie season where he threw 11 touchdowns to 17 interceptions. Bortles rebounded in 2015 to have a breakout season throwing for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns. Both were a single-season franchise record for the Jaguars.<\/p>\n

The new contract seems to be setting up Bortles for a chance to shine while allowing the Jaguars some time\u00a0to test the quarterback market.<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>