Blake Bortles signs with Los Angeles Rams
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Rams welcomed former University of Central Florida star and Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles to the team on Monday.
The Rams tweeted on Monday evening that the team and Bortles, a former No. 3 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, have agreed to terms on a one-year contract. The Jaguars released Bortles last week when the club signed quarterback Nick Foles to a four-year, $88 million contract that includes $50.125 million guaranteed.
Bortles has played in 75 games (starting 73), completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 17,646 yards with 103 touchdowns and an 80.6 career passer rating. Bortles threw for 35 passing touchdowns back in 2015 as a second-year player, and helped lead the Jaguars to an AFC Championship game.
Jags Coach Tom Coughlin and general manager Dave Caldwell both said they have no regrets about giving Bortles a three-year, $58 million contract just 13 months ago. The deal included $26.5 million guaranteed and will cost the Jags $16.5 million in dead money in 2019. Jacksonville released Bortles on Wednesday, parting with him after five up-and-down seasons.
"It was the right thing to do," Coughlin said. "The guy took us to the AFC championship game [in 2018]. There wouldn't have been anybody that would have disputed the fact that he deserved the opportunity. ... So what we did at that point in time is try to fortify our team around him. Obviously, we wish it was better, but I have no regrets about that."
Because of the financial commitment to Bortles, the Jags had to cut five veterans - including former Pro Bowl defenders Tashaun Gipson and Malik Jackson - to create enough salary cap space to sign Foles.
The Rams are slated to open their offseason program in mid-April.
Some information taken from the Associated Press.