Written by Michael DiRocco at ESPN.com
The Jacksonville Jaguars now have an open quarterback competition.
Head coach Doug Marrone said Thursday night that Blake Bortles, the third overall pick in 2014 and the team’s starter since Week 4 of his rookie season, and Chad Henne will share first-team reps as Marrone searches for a starter before the season opener against Houston.
“I’m looking for someone that’s going to lead this offense,” Marrone said after the Jaguars’ 12-8 loss to Tampa Bay at EverBank Field. “I’m not happy with the performance today. I’m not going to sit here and BS anyone. Everyone saw it out there. Whatever you want to call it, I’m still trying to evaluate who the best person is at that position.”
Bortles was an unimpressive 8-for-13 for 65 yards in four drives against the Bucs, all of which ended in punts. He also was sacked once. He has completed 11 of 18 passes for 81 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions in two preseason games.
Henne also got snaps with the first-team offense late in the first half Thursday; the team says the move was planned before the game. He threw two passes in his one drive in the first half, both of which were dropped in the end zone by Keelan Cole and Allen Robinson. Jacksonville trailed 12-0 at halftime.
Marrone told ESPN at halftime that he was upset with the entire offense, emphasizing he felt all 11 players struggled and not just Bortles. He sent the first team back on the field with Henne to start the third quarter. Henne finished 6-of-10 for 44 yards in two drives.
“I’ll approach it the same way,” Bortles said. “I’ll approach tomorrow as I treated yesterday and as I treated today. I don’t think anything changes from my mindset or anything there. I think it’s my job to go out there and earn the respect and trust of those guys as well as the coaching staff, and that’s what I’m kind of on a mission to do.”
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