Rookie quarterback Blake Bortles has signed a rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
ESPN reported that on Wednesday the 22-year-old inked his four-year rookie contract worth $20.65 million. The deal reportedly includes a $13.34 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option.
BREAKING: #Jaguars QB @BBortles5 signs his rookie contract. Full coverage on http://t.co/UqNdWvSJ25 shortly. pic.twitter.com/SighWLj4Cb
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) June 18, 2014
“It’s a once in a lifetime thing, signing your first contract. It’s a cool feeling,” Bortles said via the team’s official website.
The 6-foot-5, 232-pound quarterback was the Jags’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and the team is hoping that he will be the answer after the carousal of failed franchise QBs.
The Jaguars have not had much stability at the quarterback position in recent years. Fans have been so frustrated with management for not getting a bona fide QB that they have boycotted games and made public petitions for Tim Tebow. Like Tebow, Bortles is a Florida native and played college ball in his home state.
General manager Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley said that they would like the young QB to learn as much as he can while they go with veteran Chad Henne for now.
The second day of the Jags’ three-day mandatory minicamp is on Wednesday morning at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields.