Blake Bortles hoping for Jacksonville Jaguars return
Tuesday 23 January 2018 10:50, UK
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles hopes the end of the team's dream season does not mark the end of his own time with the franchise.
Bortles has said he hopes to be back with the Jags next season, in a team which will look to bounce back from their recent defeat to the New England Patriots.
However, the player told reporters on Monday that he is uncertain whether a return is possible.
Jacksonville previously exercised the 25-year-old's fifth-year option worth $19,053,000, but it does not become guaranteed until the start of the league year (4 pm ET, March 14).
"I've enjoyed my four years here in Jacksonville, and I would love to be able to play here for as long as they would let me," Bortles said.
"What they do and all the decisions that are made are kind of out of my control. I'd be thrilled to be able to stay here and play here, and hopefully that can happen."
Jacksonville had Chad Henne start at quarterback in the pre-season, but Bortles came back and responded with his second-best season career.
Jaguars coach Doug Marrone indicated on Monday that a decision involving Bortles' future will not come soon.
"I would really have to take a step back and look at it," Marrone said.
"I don't think I'm in the best mindset to talk about any of our players from that standpoint of what is going on. I'm happy for all of our players, I'm happy for all their contributions and what they have done. Now it's a matter of taking a step back and giving myself some time and looking at things as a whole."
