The Jacksonville Jaguars have been steadfastly clear with their intentions to shelterBlake Bortles to start the 2014 season.
While the rookie quarterback agrees with the decision to sit and learn behind Chad Henne, Bortles told NFL Media's Bryan Fischer at the Nike Elite 11 camp in Beaverton, Oregon, on Monday that he'd be ready if called upon early.
"I think you have to have the mindset that you have to go out and compete every day," Bortles said. "You want to be the guy. In my situation, whenever my number is called I want to be ready to go and execute the offense just like Chad would. That's my goal, to make sure I'm prepared and ready and continuing to get better."
Of course, every young quarterback wants to be the guy.
In his post-draft analysis of the rookie quarterback, Around The League's Chris Wesseling pegged Bortles' first start to happen by Thanksgiving.
Once the Jags exit the playoff picture, it will be harder for the coaching staff to keep the top quarterback taken in the 2014 draft on the bench. Letting Bortles get his feet wet at the end of the season would vault him into the offseason program as he preps to take over the role as franchise savior in Year 2.
However, if he's needed earlier in the season, the rookie plans to be ready.
The latest "Around The League Podcast" ranked the top quarterbacks in the NFL today.
