Jaguars name Blake Bortles starting quarterback moving forward

Following three straight disappointing losses to open the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have decided to start rookie Blake Bortles at quarterback next Sunday against the San Diego Chargers. Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley announced the move following the Jaguars' 44-17 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Bradley said that Bortles would be Jacksonville's starter moving forward for the rest of the season.

The starting of Bortles signifies a change in direction for the team. During the preseason the Jaguars made it clear that Chad Henne was the starter and would be so for the entire season, allowing Bortles to learn from the sidelines. Considering the Jaguars have lost their first three games by a combined score of 119-44, it was time for a change.

Bortles, the No. 3 overall pick in this year's draft, made his first career appearance on Sunday against the Colts, replacing Henne to start the second half with the Jaguars trailing 30-0. The rookie out of UCF showed flashes in his first real NFL action and finished the game 14-of-23 for 223 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

There's no doubt that Bortles offers more to the offense than Henne and the rookie's ceiling appears to be incredibly high. It could be risky to play him behind an offensive line that has struggled mightily this season to say the least, but Bortles' ability to avoid pressure is far superior to Henne's and should give him more time in the pocket.