Blake Bortles’ fall as an NFL quarterback has been precipitous, going from one win shy of reaching the Super Bowl to being cut by the Jaguars one season into a three-year, $54 million contract. He was benched by Jacksonville in 2018 and the Jaguars eventually replaced him with Nick Foles, another overpriced quarterback who failed to meet expectations.

The Rams signed Bortles to a one-year, $1 million deal in free agency, which was a bargain for Los Angeles. Bortles was content to take such a small contract because he was guaranteed $6.5 million regardless, thanks to his deal with the Jaguars.

Ideally, Bortles would improve his mechanics, showcase his skills in the preseason and maybe get some playing time in mop-up duty before hitting free agency again in 2020. It’s hard to say definitively that Bortles helped his stock, which leaves his future unclear.

Analysis

: 1-for-2, 3 yards. 2 rush attempts, -9 yards: 48.5 overall

Bortles only played 11 total snaps last season. He attempted two passes, completing one for 3 yards. He also had a 1-yard carry against the Steelers on a bizarre third-down play, also losing 10 yards on a botched rollout.

His playing time was obviously limited with Jared Goff staying healthy all season and the Rams rarely blowing teams out, but he did attempt 19 passes in the preseason. He was 10-for-19 with 112 yards and a touchdown, posting a passer rating of 88.0.

His mechanics looked the same as they did with the Jaguars, which caused some inaccuracy – even on completed passes. He still has good mobility and a big enough arm to push the ball downfield, but those traits alone won’t get you on the field as a quarterback.

Bortles wasn’t going to be a starter anywhere last season, and he saw the Rams has his best opportunity to hone his skills and improve prior to hitting free agency again in 2020. It’s just that he didn’t do much – if anything – to entice a team to make him a starter next season.

Positional need: Low

The Rams have been fortunate on the injury front in recent years, particularly at the quarterback position. Goff has yet to miss a game due to injury, which kept Sean Mannion and Bortles on the sidelines.

That doesn’t mean having a backup quarterback isn’t important, but it’s not a need that’s as pressing as the offensive and defensive lines, edge rusher, linebacker or even kicker. The Rams can get by without sinking significant resources into the backup quarterback spot.

John Wolford is the only other QB on the roster behind Goff right now, but he doesn’t seem ready for NFL action. That’s not to say he won’t be next season, but the Rams shouldn’t feel great about him as their QB2.

That said, they can get by with a cheaper backup, potentially a rookie or free agent like Case Keenum or Colt McCoy – both of whom worked under OC Kevin O’Connell last year.

Prediction: Signs one-year, $3 million contract elsewhere

Bortles doesn’t have a future as a starter in Los Angeles. There’s simply no way around that. He probably learned a lot this past year with Sean McVay coaching him every day, but he’ll almost certainly never become a starter with the Rams unless Goff A) retires or B) suffers a major injury.

Bortles will seek opportunities elsewhere, likely with teams that would give him the chance to compete for a starting job. He won’t have that chance in L.A., so it’s easy to see him taking a cheap deal from another team with a QB vacancy.

The Rams, on the other hand, will move on and either draft someone, lean on Wolford or sign a veteran backup in free agency – someone who isn’t seeking a starting role.