Jacksonville Jaguars: Is Tom Coughlin getting behind Blake Bortles?

Jacksonville Jaguars executive vice president of football operations, Tom Coughlin, has been lukewarm on quarterback Blake Bortles to this point. Is that changing with improved mechanics?

When asked on The Rich Eisen Show about Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles and his fifth year option being picked up, Tom Coughlin had a lot to say. In particular, he noted that the move was about the money and the sum being paid to Bortles only being guaranteed for injury.

But what makes the comments on Bortles noteworthy is that Coughlin then commented on Bortles’ mechanics, saying, “he did a nice job of working on in the offseason and pretty much correcting.”

While this is certainly not a rousing endorsement (Coughlin couldn’t even say that Bortles’ 2015 season was outstanding even though he set franchise passing records) it is a move forward in the assessment process. Coughlin is essentially the only person on the Jags staff with a winning background who can judge players without past bias and attachment. If he is seeing development then it’s likely that it’s happening.

Just how much progress is up for debate and won’t be known until the 2017 season actually get underway.

While a front office man making positive comments about his quarterback is usually not news around this time of year, the example here with the Jaguars is noteworthy because of how frank the franchise has been about its current status. From linebacker Telvin Smith to head coach Doug Marrone to Coughlin, a new culture of internal accountability has been adopted.

So if Bortles does end up regressing, expect that Coughlin will make note of it. And expect that to make some news as well.