Blake Bortles retires from NFL: Just ‘didn’t tell anybody’

Blake Bortles is retiring. Just don’t tell anyone.

The former Jaguars and Rams quarterback is hanging up his cleats after eight seasons in the NFL, revealing the information on Wednesday’s episode of Barstool Sports’ “Pardon My Take” podcast.

“I have not touched a football since January. I have officially retired,” Bortles said on the episode.

If that comes as a surprise, that may have been by design. The No. 3 overall pick from the 2014 NFL Draft admitted he hadn’t informed anyone of his retirement decision until going on the popular podcast this week.

“I didn’t tell anybody I retired. A couple of months ago, probably, just didn’t tell anyone. So, I guess you guys are kind of the first to hear it publicly, maybe?” Bortles told the stunned hosts.

Bortles was drafted by the Jaguars in 2014 and spent five seasons with the team. The highlight of his tenure came in Jan. 2018, when Jacksonville went to the AFC Championship game and lost to the Patriots in a 24-20 thriller. He was eventually released after the 2018 season and spent time as a backup with the Rams, Broncos, Packers, and Saints.

It’s unclear if he has submitted his official retirement papers and the initial purpose of the interview was to see if Bortles would be interested in signing with an NFL team. The 30-year-old said that he would be willing to come back – for the right price.

“Two [years] for $15 million? I would be there in a heartbeat,” Bortles said.