Bortles: 'I don't know if it can get any worse' than being benched

For a supposed franchise quarterback, being benched is about as bad as it can get.

Blake Bortles hit rock bottom Thursday, as the Jacksonville Jaguars opted to start Chad Henne over him for the crucial third preseason game against the Carolina Panthers.

"I don't know if it can get any worse than that," Bortles said postgame. according to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "As a quarterback in the NFL, that's probably the last thing you want to hear. I think you can roll over and lay down or you can keep working, grinding and trying to win that spot back. So, you have two options and I think you pick one and you go."

Henne was unable to make the most of the opportunity, however. He went 8-of-14 for 73 yards, though his night would have looked better if not for a drop by Keelan Cole which likely would ended in a touchdown had he corralled Henne's perfect deep shot.

Bortles looked improved, throwing a 4-yard touchdown and making some of the high-level throws that made some believe he would be a star just a season ago. He ended the game with 125 yards on 16 attempts, with one interception souring his otherwise solid effort.

It wasn't enough to reclaim his starting job, but Bortles is remaining positive.

"It's tough. I think you're getting dealt a certain hand and it's your decision and you chose to do what you want with it," Bortles said. "You can put your head down and continue to work and continue to fight and go out and play. Make each rep you get in practice as meaningful as possible."

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