After two preseason games, the new regime in Jacksonville is through giving any more slack to Blake Bortles.
After a middling performance where he went 8 of 13 for 65 yards, including at least two noticably inaccurate passes to Allen Robinson that wiped out potential big gains, Bortles was put right into a quarterback competition with Chad Henne.
“I met with both quarterbacks afterward. I told them what I’m looking for is I’m looking for someone that’s gonna lead this offense," Marrone said after Jacksonville's 12-8 loss at home to Tampa Bay on Thursday night. "It's right there up for grabs, and either person can take it."
Henne did take some snaps with the first-team offense, going 6 of 10 for 44 yards. Receiver Keelan Cole also dropped a wide-open pass that would've been a touchdown for Henne had he caught it.
Prior to Thursday night, Marrone and new executive vice president Tom Coughlin were supportive of the UCF product, who's entering his fourth season with 69 career touchdowns against 51 interceptions, and a 11-34 record as a starter. Bortles also has the most pick-sixes (11) among quarterbacks who have debuted in this decade.
"My mindset doesn't change, though obviously tonight wasn't a good showcase," Bortles said after the game. "Just like any position in the NFL, you have to earn it every day."
Third-string quarterback Brandon Allen played all of the second half, throwing for 144 yards and a touchdown against Tampa Bay's second and third-string defense.