Does Blake Bortles make sense as Cleveland Browns backup QB?

With the expected signing of Nick Foles on Wednesday, Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles is likely to be released. With the QB2 slot open on the depth chart, Bortles would be a good fit as a backup for Baker Mayfield.

The last few years haven’t been pleasant for Blake Bortles. The first round pick in 2014 has had his moments of success, but has often found himself as a main cause for the losses in Jacksonville.

Even after a 10-6 season that saw the Jaguars come one drive away from a Super Bowl appearance, Bortles was thought of as more of a hindrance than a help to their playoff run.

Following their most recent 5-11 record, it appears the Bortles era is done in Florida, with several NFL media saying Bortles will be released once Nick Foles is signed at the opening of free agency on Wednesday.

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The Cleveland Browns have their star quarterback in Baker Mayfield, but with the expected departure of backup Tyrod Taylor, they find themselves in need of a backup. The only other quarterback currently on the roster is Drew Stanton, who only dressed for a handful of games in 2018 and is seen as more of a mentor for Mayfield than a viable backup.

Bortles never lived up to his third overall selection draft status. But his time as a starter and going through the ups and downs of being a quarterback in the NFL is something that could greatly benefit Mayfield and the Cleveland Browns. He saw more success than Stanton ever did as a starter and would be able to help out in areas that his fellow backup can’t.

Aside from that, Mayfield and Bortles have similar attributes that make them a fit as partners in the quarterback depth chart. Both are agile and can run, but while Baker uses his legs to create time to find the open receiver, Bortles often uses his legs to run and create plays on his own. Having Bortles join the Browns could give him the opportunity to teach Mayfield when to tuck it and run it himself.

While Bortles may not be the best possible free agent quarterback on the market, his skill set and time as a starting quarterback, both good and bad, is a good reason for the Browns to sign him. He won’t likely demand a large contract, which let’s it be a safe signing as an insurance policy for Mayfield.

So long as Bortles doesn’t have to start more than a game or two, Cleveland will be in good hands with a backup that has seen as much as Bortles has in his young NFL career.