(11-01-2017, 11:26 AM)newporttom Wrote:

(11-01-2017, 09:50 AM)NYC4jags Wrote: Yeah. That was the way I understood it too, but my question now is whether they can negotiate the deal.

My understanding is that - since it's part of the new rookie compensation plan in the new CBA - they can't negotiate his deal. Meaning the only way Bortles is a Jag in 2018 is by paying him 19 million.

OR  - is it possible to sign him to a multi-year deal that matches or exceeds that figure over time  - and keep him as the back-up.

(might be the way to go if they plan to draft the QB of the future instead of signing him)

I'm not at all sure that's right.

Neither was I. Which is why I asked two questions in that post (despite forgetting the punctuation. oops)

Anyway  -  I've been informed from an expert who covers the team that the only way to avoid the 19 mil option is to cut him outright  -- and THEN get him to sign a new deal.  They can't move directly from the option to a new deal w/o cutting him first. 

Of course they could plan this with he and his agent before doing it -- but it would clearly allow him to test free agency if he wants.  That doesn't seem like a big deal at the moment -- but if he turns in a few more games like the balt. and indy games, then...  it's a bit of a gamble. 

It will be interesting to see how they handle this in the F.O. if Bortles plays well more than he doesn't from here on out.

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