Jags re-up on Bortles, Bridgewater up in air

The Jacksonville Jaguars picked up the fifth-year option on quarterback Blake Bortles’ contract for the 2018 season on Monday as the team is hoping he has a rebound season.

Bortles, the Jaguars’ first-round selection (third overall) in 2014, would make approximately $20 million – the average of the top 10 highest-paid quarterbacks – in the last season of his rookie deal.

The 25-year-old QB has shown promise along with wild inconsistency during his first three seasons. He passed for 35 touchdowns during the 2015 season, but took a step back last year when the team was expected to contend for a wild-card shot rather than go 3-13. He’s passed for 69 TDs and 51 interceptions during his career. But Bortles’ most worrisome stat: He has 11 career wins and 11 pick-sixes.

“This is a smart business decision for the team for several reasons,” executive VP of football operations Tom Coughlin said in a statement. “It makes sense for us going forward and it’s good for Blake and for the Jaguars.”

Elsewhere, the Minnesota Vikings informed injured quarterback Teddy Bridgewater that the team will not pick up the fifthyear option on his contract for the 2018 season.

Bridgewater, who dislocated his left knee and tore the ACL during a late August practice, is rehabbing and trying to make it back from the catastrophic injury. He has been participating in voluntary conditioning work with teammates.