Niner Noise
FanSided

The biggest question facing each NFL team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) slides after he runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Field. The Vikings won 25-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) slides after he runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings at EverBank Field. The Vikings won 25-16. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Jacksonville Jaguars

When will the Jaguars give up on Blake Bortles?

2017 will be a prove-it year for Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles.

Three years deep into his NFL career, Bortles has yet to show he can be an effective signal-caller at the NFL level. True, his 2015 campaign flashed some promising signs. But almost all of that came crashing down in what turned out to be a forgettable 2016 campaign.

The Jaguars haven’t won more than five games since Bortles took over starting duties his rookie year. And while Jacksonville has invested heavily in its defense the last two seasons, the lack of offensive production is more than problematic.

Perhaps this explains why the Jaguars took running back Leonard Fournette in Round 1 of the NFL Draft. Fournette offers a different offensive identity for a team in desperate need of one.

And so this could likely be the final chapter of Bortles’ time in Jacksonville.

Unless he turns a page this season, which doesn’t appear likely.