Blake Bortles shredded the Texans, but Jadeveon Clowney says he's still 'trash'

No rational human would argue that Blake Bortles is a top-five quarterback in the NFL. Some would even say he’s mediocre, or significantly below average, despite leading the Jacksonville Jaguars to the playoffs this season.

And then there’s Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. He has his own opinion. And he picked a rather poor time to express that opinion.

Bortles threw for 326 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions on Sunday in a dominant 45-7 Jacksonville Jaguars win over the Texans. He had the Jaguars up 31-0 at halftime, and never looked back.

But Clowney, who was on the other end of the beatdown, was apparently not impressed. His response when asked if Bortles was improving in his fourth year as a pro?

“He’s trash.”

Perhaps Clowney was slightly bitter after the loss.

Bortles certainly hasn’t been the most consistent of quarterbacks since being drafted third overall in 2014. He had a statistically strong sophomore season, but regressed last year. This season, however, he has the Jaguars 10-4, and in the playoffs with two games to spare. Sunday was one of his best individual outputs of the year.

Clowney, who was drafted first overall – two spots ahead of Bortles – isn’t buying the hype surrounding Bortles and the Jags. And maybe he’s right to remain skeptical. But postgame interviews after a 45-7 loss are a less than ideal time to make that point.

More NFL coverage from Yahoo Sports:
• Bills kicker’s sideline action sparks Twitter debate
• Shazier at Steelers game 2 weeks after scary injury
• Carolina’s Davis visibly shaken after violent hit on Packers star
• Cam Newton taunts Packers before TD: ‘Watch this’