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The news was greeted with jeers and jokes, but the Green Bay Packers signing quarterback Blake Bortles actually makes all kinds of sense.
First off is his link to offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who helped guide Bortles and the Jacksonville Jaguars to within a whisker of a Super Bowl appearance in 2017 as the play caller. No one got more out of Bortles than Hackett.
Second is the Packers needed another quarterback and given the uncertainty around Aaron Rodgers’ future with a team, a veteran arm made a lot more sense if Jordan Love became the new starting quarterback.
Bortles’ shortcomings are obvious but given how late in the offseason this Rodgers drama exploded, Green Bay really was in a corner and it also gives them some flexibility when it finally sees Love in game action this preseason.
Should Rodgers return, Bortles is a candidate to be on the practice squad and allow Love to become QB2. If Rodgers leaves via trade or otherwise, Bortles is not a horrible option behind Love.
The Packers are also arguably the best organization for Bortles to be in to finally develop the potential that made him a top five pick. While he did spend a year with Sean McVay, sitting behind someone like Jared Goff still isn’t ideal. If Rodgers returns (which is looking more likely now), Bortles finally can learn behind a great quarterback.
While not ideal, bringing in Bortles gives the Packers some insurance should the situation with Rodgers go sideways. It’s not the best, but it will have to do.
5 things to know about new Packers QB Blake Bortles—Packers.com
Bortles was also very durable in Jacksonville and his familiarity with the offensive system gives Green Bay at least some semblance of stability should Love be thrust into the starting role.
Draft class could help top-ranked Packers offense soar even higher in 2021–Packers Wire
Adding someone like Amari Rodgers and reinforcing the line through multiple picks should have Packers fans salivating at what the offense could accomplish this season.
2021 NFC win total projections: Can Washington repeat in NFC East?—NFL.com
The Packers are forecasted to win the NFC North for a third straight year here but will miss out on home field advantage thanks to Tampa Bay facing an easier schedule.
Players don’t enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame as members of a team like in baseball, but to hear Charles Woodson tell it his Super Bowl win as a Packer is his career peak.
Bakery Robbed, Owners Give Away Cookies With Suspect’s Face Printed On Them—NDTV
That’s one way for the bakery to help recover their dough.