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2018 quarterback predictions: The biggest re-shuffling in NFL history

By Sayre Bedinger

LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
LANDOVER, MD - DECEMBER 17: Quarterback Kirk Cousins #8 of the Washington Redskins throws the ball in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at FedEx Field on December 17, 2017 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 17: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the first half of their game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field on December 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 17: Blake Bortles #5 of the Jacksonville Jaguars calls a play at the line of scrimmage in the first half of their game against the Houston Texans at EverBank Field on December 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /

Jacksonville Jaguars

Whatever has gotten into Blake Bortles has probably forced the Jaguars’ hand in this situation.

Not to spoil this one before I really get into explaining why, but I think Bortles will be back with the Jaguars next season, and if that’s the case, he’ll carry a $19 million cap hit.

Here’s why this makes the most sense for the Jags, who would otherwise be:

a. Probably the most attractive option for free agents and;

b. Able to afford anyone they want.

Bortles has been playing some of the best football of his NFL career this season, and he’s done it without Allen Robinson, and for much of the season, without Allen Hurns and Marqise Lee.

The Jaguars have become a pretty balanced offensive team, which is no surprise given they have one of the league’s bright young stars at running back in Leonard Fournette.

With the defense in Jacksonville, the way their cap is currently set up, there is no player they could pay more than Bortles that offers them the type of financial flexibility in the future.

If they were to go and get, for example, Kirk Cousins, it would cost them at least $5 million more against the cap this year than Bortles, and into the future, they would be committing huge money to him.

With Bortles, they have the option of this next season, the fifth year of his rookie deal, then the franchise tag after that if they don’t want to be locked in with him long term.

Bortles offers the most flexibility, and right now, it’s not broken so why try and fix it?

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