Blake Bortles may have a 24-hour shelf life in the NFL.
He has been benched by Jacksonville Jaguars coach Doug Marrone, a move that reeks of desperate times for the franchise. Just a few years back, Bortles was anointed the face of the franchise after he was taken with the No. 3 pick in the 2014 NFL draft.
Central Florida had together to cheer for Bortles, the hometown kid from Oviedo, Fla., and UCF. It was a feel-good story about a local hero who was on the verge of becoming a star in the NFL.
But all that blew up with a horrible 2016 season, followed by a horrible 2017 training camp. After a putrid 8 of 13 passing performance for only 65 yards in a first-half stint against the Tampa Bay Bucs last Thursday night, Bortles was called into Marrone's office, as well as backup quarterback Chad Henne.
Pleasantries were not exchanged.
"I had to take care of some business," Marrone said. "I met with both quarterbacks afterwards. I told them what I'm looking for is, I'm looking for someone who is going to lead this offense. I'm not happy with the performance today. I'm not going to sit here and b.s. anyone. "
Six days later, Marrone has seen enough, and it does not bode well for Bortles.
Henne will start when the Jaguars play the Panthers on Thursday night in Jacksonville. What happens after that is unclear, but losing your job to a journeyman is never a good thing.
And then there are money matters.
Bortles is set to make $19 million next season, and the Jaguars could be on the hook for that money if they keep him around and he gets injured. So precarious situation it is.
Marrone did say that both players will get reps with the first team.
This will be Bortles' last audition, or he is done. He has regressed terribly over the last season, and into this training camp. His mechanics are horrible. He under throws receivers. He seems to have lost his confidence.
Central Florida still roots for Bortles. They might want to light a candle for him as well.
