If only a few different plays, or calls, went their way on Sunday afternoon, the Jacksonville Jaguars and starting quarterback Blake Bortles would've reached the first Super Bowl in franchise history. Instead, New England Patriots superstar QB Tom Brady led a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to end the Jaguars' improbable 2017 season

Bortles' play was ridiculed throughout Jacksonville's run, but the Central Florida product took the criticism in stride. He saved his best performances for when it mattered most, helping the Jaguars score 45 points in a divisional round victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers before completing 23 passes for 293 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions in Foxborough. The moment never seemed too big for a composed Bortles, which is not something many analysts expected heading into the postseason.

Still, with a two-score lead in the second half, the Jaguars became very conservative with their play-calling, showing a lack of trust in Bortles' ability to safely move the ball down the field without turning it over. It ended up costing Jacksonville the game, as one more touchdown would've been the difference.

Despite his play these last two weeks, Bortles' future in Jacksonville is in a state of limbo. With a bevy of talented quarterbacks set to hit free agency this offseason, possibly including Redskins Pro Bowler Kirk Cousins, the Jaguars could easily let Bortles walk and sign one of the signal callers on the open market.

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If it was up to Bortles, he'd remain with the teal and black next year.

Per ProFootballTalk's Josh Alper, via the Florida Times-Union:

“I’ve enjoyed my four years in Jacksonville and I would love to play here for as long as they let me,” Bortles said, via the Florida Times-Union. “What they decide and all of the decisions they make are outside of my control. I would be thrilled to be able to stay here and play here. Hopefully that can happen.”

As Alper notes, the Jaguars exercised their option on Bortles for 2018, but they can still cut him before it becomes guaranteed in March. If Jacksonville keeps Bortles on board, he'll make around $19 million next season.