Two seasons ago, Blake Bortles was playing in the AFC Championship game with a berth in the Super Bowl on the line. In a career that had, to that point, featured more downs than ups, it appeared if Bortles had finally found his footing.

Fewer than 18 months later, Bortles is no longer an NFL starter. He’s the backup for Rams quarterback Jared Goff.

Apparently, Bortles is enjoying the experience. Though he has hopes of being a starter for a team again, the time spent around Rams coach Sean McVay and his staff has been worth it.

It’s been awesome,” Bortles said. “Seeing how he coaches, how all the other coaches coach and how the guys are receptive and take it, I’ve never seen anything like it.”

Bortles was released this offseason after the Jaguars signed quarterback Nick Foles in March. The Jaguars reportedly still owed him $6.5 million for 2019, and Bortles signed a one-year, $1-million contract with the Rams.

In five seasons with the Jaguars, Bortles was 24-49 as a starter during the regular season. He passed for 103 touchdowns, with 75 interceptions. His best statistical season came in 2015, when he passed for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns for a team that finished 5-11.

McVay has lauded his command in the huddle and confidence as strengths shown by the 6-foot-5, 236-pound Bortles so far in camp.

After years of being under a microscope in Jacksonville, Bortles has a fresh start in L.A., and, for the first time in his career, is not battling the pressure that microscope brings. For his part, Bortles hopes to turn this time into an opportunity for a larger role once again in 2020.