Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles is committed to improvement this offseason, and as part of his efforts, he’s sought out two of the better quarterbacks in the league to help him in his pursuit.
Bortles was nudged to talk to veteran quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers and Carson Palmer by offensive coordinator Greg Olson and quarterbacks coach Nathaniel Hackett, and it sounds like the work has been worth it.
“I bounced ideas off of them and asked them, ‘What would you do differently?'” Bortles said, via Ryan O’Halloran of the Florida Times-Union. “Aaron was awesome. One of the things he said was, ‘Don’t try and score 21 points every time you have the ball.’ That’s what I’ve had to learn.
“Carson was good. He’s laid back, and he’s an unbelievable quarterback and leader in the NFL. He said similar things. He said, ‘Just continue to build chemistry and rapport with the guys you’re with.'”
Bortles wasn’t bad in 2015, throwing for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns, just one behind Tom Brady’s NFL-leading 36. He also, however, led the league in interceptions with 18. If he can take a few steps forward, he could be a very good NFL quarterback.
Now, we’re wondering if one of the pieces of advice Rodgers gave Bortles was to remember to thank the powers that be when you do well.
