With hindsight: no regrets

JACKSONVILLE – One era has begun, another one has ended.

That was the feeling that prevailed around TIAA Bank Field on Thursday, as Jaguar decision makers introduced a new quarter and focused on the old one.

They do not regret their actions regarding Blake Bortles.

"Not at all," Jaguars executive vice president Tom Coughlin said Thursday.

Coughlin and Managing Director David Caldwell agreed on Thursday that when they were discussing the team's decision to turn Nick Foles into a duty-free quarterback, they also discussed the often-criticized decision to do the same with Bortles at the time. the last off season.

The last offseason of Bortles had signed a three-year contract until 2021. The Jaguars released Bortles Wednesday shortly after Foles' signing.

This decision left the Jaguar $ 16.5 million in dead money on the 2019 salary cap.

"It was the right thing to do," Coughlin said. "The guy took us to the AFC Championship game [following the 2017 season] and there would have been no one who would have questioned the fact that he deserved the opportunity. We played well behind him and the defense played well.

"What we did at that time was to try to strengthen our team around him. Obviously, we would like it to be better, but I do not regret anything about it.

Caldwell, who selected Bortles No. 3 overall for the 2014 NFL draft, said Bortles was working every day at TIAA Bank Field during the off-season. It's not uncommon; players often use the facilities of their teams until their official release.

Caldwell said that he had informed Bortles on Friday that a release was possible. He said Bortles was not surprised, then Caldwell informed him Monday that his release was imminent.

He said Bortles said goodbye to the center on Tuesday.

"If all of our players were running their business as he did, we'd be in good shape," said Caldwell, adding, "I told Blake that I did not regret having done it, I did not I did not regret giving him the extension. . He won this extension. I regret that it did not work. "

Coughlin said Bortles' playoff performance after the 2017 season confirmed "what we thought would be a guy who would be able to play at this level."

"He had a great performance," said Coughlin. "He did not turn the ball around. He did everything he could to help us win, including running. It was an unfortunate whistle inadvertently to be in the big game. I settled that myself, mentally. Obviously, we are sorry that it did not work. "

Coughlin said the Jaguars had never seriously considered keeping Bortles as reinforcement. He added about the publication: "Obviously, that was not all Blake. But something had to be done, of course.

Speaking of Foles, he could not have been happier on Thursday. One of the reasons: an opportunity to be the starter, which he was no longer since 2015 with the Rams of St. Louis. Another: a chance to wear number 7, something he has not done since his stint at Austin Westlake High School in 2005 and 2006. "No. 7 has always been my number, "said Foles. "Since I was a kid, I've always worn number 7. I went to the state of Michigan and [Brian] Hoyer was No. 7, I went to Arizona, Willie Tuitama was No. 7. Philadelphia – Mike Vick [was No. 7]. This was retired in St. Louis. Kansas City – it was an interesting year. I really came back to football. Aaron Murray was No. 7 at the time, but I wore No. 4 to honor my wife. She was No. 4 in college. Back in Philadelphia, I was wearing number 9. It was my first chance to find my roots – my high school and my childhood. I am very honored to wear number 7. "

On Thursday, Coughlin cited criticism of the Foles contract, which paid $ 88 million over four years, with a guarantee of $ 50.1. While many felt the deal was too high because of the belief that the Jaguars were the only team to pursue Foles, Coughlin called the deal "an integral part of the financial strategy." If the Jaguars were paid less, the theory would be the same. been invited to return to Philadelphia or to solicit offers from another team. "We recognize the fact that he is a very talented player," Coughlin said. "He deserved the opportunity that was given to him. We were always suspicious that someone could get out of work with all the advertising that was sent to us. We also wanted the man to come here and feel good about this opportunity. "

Caldwell about Bortles' career in Jacksonville: "We originally played it when we were not going to play it [as a rookie in 2014]and I told him Friday that if I had to start again, I would have stuck to my weapons. We sent him with a team that was not ready to compete. Many people have written the book about him [as he struggled that season]. He returned to his second season and had a very good year. Even though we did not win at that time, it was not his fault. The following year he had a negative year and the following year (2017) it worked. We were four minutes from the Super Bowl. Last year, we were 3-1 and he had two games over 350 yards. He did very good things. We got beaten up and he just could not do it alone. Too much pressure on him to try to do it himself. It could not happen and things collapsed. "