Jacksonville Jaguars should be all in for Eli Manning trade

With Blake Bortles still the problem for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the team should look to reunite a quarterback with his former coach.

The Jacksonville Jaguars currently sit at 3-3, which is impressive considering the team’s recent failures. That feat by itself is likely something nobody saw coming. However, something many saw coming was the continued struggles of quarterback Blake Bortles. While the team has been playing some damn good football, Bortles has not been the catalyst for the team’s success.

At best, Bortles has been serviceable — save for an anomaly of a game against the Ravens in London. He’s clearly what’s holding the team back. While the blueprint of the Jaguars is running the ball and playing defense, that game plan is effectively thrown out the window if the team falls behind. That’s the obvious caveat with a team as dedicated to the run as much as Jacksonville is.

With Bortles under center, comebacks are essentially nothing more than wishful thinking. NFL Media Insider Dan Hanzus constantly claims that no quarterback throws worse incompletions than Bortles. His claim is right; when Bortles misses, he misses badly.

The Jaguars can win the AFC South, and nobody’s denying that. They have a superstar-in-the-making at running back, as well as an absolutely fantastic defense. But if they want to make a serious run in January, something needs to change at quarterback. To find that solution, Jacksonville should go all in on trading for Eli Manning.

Despite the New York Giants earning their first victory of the year, their ship is still sinking at a radically quick rate. And while the team as a whole has disappointed, Manning has been a lone bright spot. After a forgettable first two games, Manning has been playing some of the best football he’s played in recent memory. Additionally, he’s doing so without his top targets Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall.

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It’s clear Manning, who’s never missed a start, has something left in the tank. He’s been a surprising bright spot in New York, displaying he’s still capable of making throws you could argue Ben Roethlisberger can no longer make. Manning also holds the championship pedigree and DNA that Bortles can only dream of. While he’s six years removed from his last title, Manning is still one of the NFL’s better quarterbacks.

Plus, reuniting Manning with Jaguars Executive VP of Football Operations Tom Coughlin would make almost too much sense.

For starters, Manning and Coughlin have a tremendous relationship. It’s so strong that the typically stoic Manning was actually brought to tears during Coughlin’s final press conference with the Giants. The two were with together in New York from Manning’s rookie year (2004), until Coughlin left following the 2015 season.

It would give Coughlin familiarity at the quarterback position, and it would give Jaguars fans some stability. I think it’s fair to say no Jags fan is buying this team making the post-season with Bortles under center. Manning recently addressed the rumors, saying this, per John Breech of CBS Sports:

"“I’ve not heard [the Jacksonville speculation], I’ve not felt it, not thinking about it,” Manning told Newsday. “I don’t want to play anywhere else. I love this team, love this organization, and I want to be here.”"

But even if Eli wants to stay in New York, this is a business and the Giants could think drastic times (1-5) call for drastic measures. Of course, Manning would have to waive his no-trade clause. Farfetched, yes. But impossible? Well, if this NFL season has reminded us of anything, it’s that nothing is impossible.

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Jacksonville should absolutely attempt to make a move for Manning before the rapidly approaching NFL trade deadline. It’s tough to entirely predict what the Giants would be asking in return, but one has to imagine at least one high draft pick would be in play.

It would likely be worth it for the Jaguars, though. This wouldn’t be a one-year rental for Manning either. He realistically has two or three years left, which gives the Jaguars time to win now. Their window is open and the pieces are in place. They just need to go grab a quarterback. If the Jaguars remain conservative in their approach to improve the quarterback position, chances are the playoffs will remain just out of reach.