Blake Bortles Named Jaguars Starting Quarterback

Blake Bortles beats out Chad Henne, to start Jaguars opener vs. Texans on Sept. 10

The Jacksonville Jaguars named Blake Bortles their starting quarterback for the season opener, head coach Doug Marrone announced Saturday.

Bortles has played and started in the team's last 45 regular-season games and the job was up for grabs this preseason after the second preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week.

The Jaguars, who have missed the playoffs in each of the last nine seasons, open the 2017 season on the road on Sept. 10.

Backup quarterback Chad Henne started in the Jaguars’ preseason loss to the Carolina Panthers on Thursday, completing eight of 14 passes for 73 yards.

Bortles played the second half, going 12–16 for 125 yards with a touchdown and interceptions.

The 25-year-old Bortles was the third overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft. He completed 59 percent of his passes last season for 3,905 yards with 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Jacksonville's final preseason game is against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday.