Denver Broncos: Blake Bortles expirement stops before it starts

Blake Bortles’ time with the Denver Broncos was a short one.

The former first-round pick was signed by the Broncos earlier in the season after Drew Lock went down in Week 2 with an injury. But he ended up just logging a handful of practices as the team has chosen to stick with Jeff Driskel and Brett Rypien as its backup quarterbacks, releasing Bortles on Saturday.

To fill the roster spot held by Bortles, the team promoted its own former first-round pick, Sylvester Williams, from the practice squad.

This points to Lock returning in Week 6 against the New England Patriots and though both Driskel and Rypien have shown some good along with some really bad this season, the team was more comfortable going ahead with them rather than the veteran Bortles.

For his career, Bortles has thrown 103 touchdowns and over 17,000 passing yards while compiling an 80.6 passer rating. Generally considered a bust by many after being selected No. 3 overall in the 2014 NFL draft, it still would have been interesting to see him play for the Broncos.

With Lock back, the team can move forward with its quarterback of the future while continuing with the original backup plan it had in place, Driskel. However, Driskel has left much to be desired in his performances this season.

Williams was selected with the No. 28 overall pick in the 2013 draft and spent four seasons with the Broncos. He has since spent time with five other teams but brings a veteran presence to the defensive line. He will be added depth for a unit that is missing Dre’Mont Jones and DeMarcus Walker.

As for Bortles, he will be hoping another team comes calling but this is the way professional careers generally end.