Blake Bortles said Monday he hopes to be back with the Jacksonville Jaguars next season, but the quarterback acknowledged he's uncertain if the feeling is mutual.
"I've enjoyed my four years in Jacksonville and I would love to play here for as long as they let me," Bortles said Monday, according to Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk. "What they decide and all of the decisions they make are outside of my control. I would be thrilled to be able to stay here and play here. Hopefully that can happen."
Bortles has a $19-million team option on his contract for 2018, and he'll become a free agent if it isn't picked up. The former No. 3 overall pick was viewed all season as the Jags' weak link, but he generally performed well during Jacksonville's playoff run that nearly produced a trip to Super Bowl LII.
Bortles threw for 3,687 yards with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in the regular season while completing a career-high 60.2 percent of his passes. His role in the offense was largely limited to being a game manager, as the Jaguars relied on a run-dominant approach.
The 25-year-old passed for 293 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game.
