LA Rams upcoming NFL Free Agency strategy is a nail-biter

Bottles back from NFL Free Agency?

Poor quarterback Blake Bortles enters NFL Free Agency at one of the worst possible years ever. He will struggle to find a home in 2020’s crowded quarterback market.

Background – QB Blake Bortles was a starting quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars who hit free agency in 2019. The LA Rams signed him to a one-year deal as their backup quarterback.

Strengths – Bortles is a veteran quarterback of six NFL seasons.  As such, he’s “been there, done that” in terms of running an NFL offense. He has thrown for over 17K yards passing and has 103 touchdown passes to 75 interceptions. He is a big guy, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing 236 pounds.

Weaknesses – Despite his sized, he has a career completion percentage of under 60 percent. The Rams may want more from their backup.

Team Impact – The Rams have options for a backup, including the 2020 NFL Draft. If the team does not re-sign Bortles to a team-friendly contract, the Rams will be tempted to select one of the 2020 talented quarterbacks. Now that the Rams hold a compensatory pick in round three, they could be tempted to select quarterback Jalen Hurts on day two.

Estimated market value –  QB Blake Bortles hits the NFL Free Agency market at the worst possible time. He simply does not inspire NFL GM’s to write big checks.  Estimate a two-year deal worth $2.5 million

Projected team action – The Rams need a backup QB, and Bortles should know he needs to come cheap to return to the Rams.

Most likely team to sign him – If the LA Rams do not bring him back, he may sit out the 2020 season.