Jacksonville Jaguars: Blake Bortles extension helps with salary cap

Blake Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars agree to a contract extension through the 2020 season, making him the guy and maneuvering the salary cap.

The question surrounding the Jacksonville Jaguars and Blake Bortles has been answered. There has been speculation that the Jaguars would release him.

However, Bortles signed a contract extension on Saturday.

John Oehser of jaguars.com reports the details:

"Bortles, the No. 3 overall selection in the 2014 NFL Draft, reportedly signed a three-year contract worth $54 million with $26.5 guaranteed. The deal reportedly could be worth up to $66.5 million with incentives."

Since the Jaguars season ended, Bortles has had surgery. Thus, it seemed like Jacksonville would have to guarantee his $19 million salary due to his injury. In addition, there was also the question of whether Bortles would still be the starting quarterback for 2018. This deal clearly shows which direction Jacksonville is headed.

This deal makes sense for both parties. Bortles will earn his second NFL contract. Jacksonville will get more salary cap space. As a result, Allen Robinson and Aaron Colvin will be pursued to re-sign with Jacksonville.

Remember, Bortles was to receive $19 million in 2018. His salary cap hit is reduced by $9 million due to the new contract. Spotrac.com reports :

"In 2018, Bortles will earn a base salary of $5,000,000 and a signing bonus of $15,000,000, while carrying a cap hit of $10,000,000 and a dead cap value of $26,500,000."

The signing bonus will be paid out in the next three years. His dead cap value would only come into play if Bortles was released, which is highly unlikely now. First of all, Bortles did Jacksonville a favor.

Currently, Jacksonville’s salary cap space is $33 million, per spotrac.com. Overthecap.com reports $21 million because they have not reworked the numbers. An increase in cap space to be used on Robinson and Colvin, hopefully. There will people upset that the Jaguars will continue with Bortles. Many were wanting to ride the Kirk Cousins bandwagon. Jacksonville made the correct decision.

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Oehser quotes Bortles:

"“… because it’s more than I ever thought I’d make and it allows us to go get some other guys done and continue to be a good football team all around.”"

Talk about wanting to win, here is a team player. Lets use that money to get more offensive weapons.Thank you Blake Bortles, for your loyalty.