A sharp regression in 2018 landed Blake Bortles on the chopping block in Jacksonville. One season after helping lead the Jaguars to the AFC championship game, Bortles’ game took a step back, and as a result, Jacksonville moved on.

With few teams needing a starting quarterback – and even fewer eyeing Bortles – the former Jaguars QB opted to sign a one-year, $1 million deal with the Rams. He knew Jared Goff wasn’t in any danger of losing his starting job, so why did he go to L.A.?

His primary reason was to be a part of the special team Sean McVay has helped build. Even though that meant no chance of starting, Bortles was in.

Almost six months later, Bortles has no regrets about signing up to be a backup in L.A.

“I thought from the time I made the decision, until now, and all the way through, that it was the best choice for me and my career and I think gives me the best opportunity to get back to being a starting quarterback in the NFL,” Bortles told Lindsey Thiry of ESPN. “So right now my role is to do what I can to help this team win, help Jared, better myself as much as possible.

Bortles’ primary role with the Rams is to help Goff any way he can and be a good backup. He’s already accomplished both in his brief time thus far, and has received rave reviews from the coaches and Goff. Pass game coordinator Shane Waldron said “he’s come in and done nothing but be that perfect backup quarterback in the situation that he’s in right now.”

Bortles had to swallow his pride after being a starter for almost five full seasons, but the hope is that this stint in Los Angeles can help him land another starting job next offseason. He probably won’t get to play this season unless Goff gets hurt or it’s a blowout, but he’s fine with learning from McVay in practice.

“If I get a chance to play again, great. If not, then I’m gaining experience in that role at practice as a backup,” he said.