Free agent quarterback Sean Mannion is unlikely to return to the Los Angeles Rams after the team signed free agent quarterback Blake Bortles.
The Rams signed the former Jacksonville Jaguars starter to a one-year deal, the team announced Monday.
Bortles is expected to become the backup behind starter Jared Goff. Bortles, 26, started 73 of the 75 games he appeared in during his five seasons with the Jaguars. The opportunity to sign a quarterback with extensive experience – for better or worse – was likely a big reason why the Rams signed Bortles.
The signing of Bortles means that Mannion is probably looking for a new team. The Rams used their third-round pick (No. 89) to select Mannion out of Oregon State in the 2015 NFL draft. Mannion rarely played in the regular season, throwing for 258 yards, with an interception, in 10 games during his career.
Mannion’s fate with the Rams might have been sealed during the 2018 preseason. Rams coach Sean McVay didn’t play his starters very much, giving Mannion an opportunity to showcase himself. Instead, Mannion struggled a bit and was locked in a battle with Brandon Allen for the backup position, before winning the backup job.
— Geoffrey C. Arnold | @geoffreyCarnold