It was a relatively quiet offseason for the Los Angeles Rams, but one of the notable signings they did make was bringing aboard Blake Bortles. They opted not to bring back Sean Mannion, signing Bortles to replace him as Jared Goff’s backup.
It’s still only training camp, and the Rams hope they don’t need Bortles at all this season, but it seems this experiment has worked out in Los Angeles’ favor. He’s received positive reviews from Rams coaches and looked good in practice, making quite a few impressive throws.
Pass game coordinator Shane Waldron made sure to mention Bortles when asked who has stood out on offense.
“[It] can’t go understated how well I think Blake has picked up this system,” Waldron said after practice with the Chargers. “He’s been in a few different systems and he’s come in and done nothing but be that perfect backup quarterback in the situation that he’s in right now. Great for Jared, but not just great for Jared, but on the field executing at a high level and he’s one of those new guys where you say, man, you walk in the door and there’s a system that’s been in place for a couple years and he’s been able to pick it up right away and execute it.”
Bortles made a terrific throw to Tyler Higbee on Saturday against the Chargers, finding him in the back of the end zone for a touchdown.
He has excellent mobility and displayed the ability to throw on the run in the past, which is valuable in the Rams’ offense with all the bootlegs and rollouts Sean McVay calls.
The Rams got a bargain with Bortles, too, signing him to a one-year, $1 million contract. His best chance to stand out will come in the preseason, considering Goff isn’t expected to play at all.
All things considered, this will be Bortles’ most important offseason yet.
