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Everyone's patience for Blake Bortles is starting to wear thin

Maybe it’s the fact that he plays in the relative NFL backwater of Jacksonville or maybe it’s because he was drafted out of Central Florida as the prototypical “project.”

Whatever the case, the relative grace period that Blake Bortles has enjoyed since being drafted third overall in the 2014 draft is finally coming to an end. The Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback has long been recognized as the team’s cornerstone but that label is deservedly falling under closer scrutiny these days.

If you didn’t believe that before Sunday, you definitely believed it after the Jags’ 33-16 home loss
to the Oakland Raiders. Bortles was in a prime position to put up some numbers against a Raiders defense that entered the contest allowing the most passing yards per game.

But Bortles faltered, completing only 23 of 43 passes for 246 yards and two interceptions, one of which came when he threw into triple coverage in the end zone.

That earned a scolding from the league’s official Twitter account.

Bortles’ only touchdown — a strike to Julius Thomas — came when the outcome was already decided.

“Obviously not playing good,” Bortles told reporters. “I couldn’t tell you. I wish I knew; I’d fix it. It’s just a continual thing and hopefully we can find a way to turn it around and solve some problems.”

After putting up some good numbers in 2015 (4,428 yards, 35 touchdowns, 17 interceptions), Bortles has moved backwards in his third season. He hasn’t been able to take advantage of last year’s chemistry with receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, nor have his mechanics improved. His throwing motion takes more time to complete than your average NFL commercial break.

Making matters worse for Jags fans is that they had to watch Bortles compete against Derek Carr. Both were members of that 2014 draft class, though Carr went with the 36th pick. His numbers since coming are 66 touchdowns to 28 interceptions. Bortles has thrown for 55 scores and 44 picks over the same time.

The 2-4 Jaguars don’t have many options unless they opt for the Chad Henne experience and it’s clear they won’t do that. Bortles’ play, however, should have ruled out any thought they had of giving him an early Ryan Tannehill-type contract extension. It’s possible that the team’s option for his fifth year won’t even be considered an automatic.

Bortles is still only 24 years old, so it’s still possible that one day something will click and that big, prototypical quarterback body will finally put everything together.

At this point, though, it isn’t looking likely.

Blake Bortles hangs his head on Sunday. (Getty Images)
Blake Bortles hangs his head on Sunday. (Getty Images)