Broncos expected to sign free agent QB Blake Bortles
The Denver Broncos are expected to sign free agent quarterback Blake Bortles after losing Drew Lock to a shoulder injury, according to KUSA-TV’s Mike Klis.
Bortles (6-5, 236 pounds) is a 28-year-old veteran quarterback who entered the league as a first-round pick out of UCF with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2014. After spending the first five years of his career in Jacksonville, Bortles served as a backup with the Los Angeles Rams last season.
Bortles had a free agent visited scheduled with the Broncos last year but canceled it after his visit with the Rams went well.
In six seasons, Bortles has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 17,649 yards with 103 touchdowns against 75 interceptions. He has also rushed for 1,766 yards and eight scores.
Bortles will have to pass multiple COVID-19 tests before being allowed to sign. The earliest he could join the team is Friday, two days before Denver’s clash with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 3.
If he does sign before this weekend, Bortles has a shot to serve as the Broncos’ backup quarterback against the Bucs. Jeff Driskel is expected to serve as the starter while Lock is injured. Coach Vic Fangio gave Lock a 3-5 week recovery timeline on Monday.
Denver has two open spots on the 53-man roster after placing wide receiver Courtland Sutton (knee) and defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones (knee) on injured reserve on Monday. Sutton is done for the year — Jones will be eligible to return to the active roster after three weeks.
