The New Orleans Saints' COVID-19 situation worsened when the news was announced Thursday that both Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill had been placed on the reserve/COVID list. That thrust third-string quarterback Ian Book into a starter's role ahead of the Saints' game Week 16 game on Monday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins. However, the Saints also are reportedly making a move to solidify their quarterback room ahead of the contest, per Jeff Duncan of The Times Picayune.
The Saints are expected to sign Blake Bortles today, per sources. He will practice with the team today and be the backup quarterback to Ian Book on Monday night.
— Jeff Duncan (@JeffDuncan_) December 24, 2021
With Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian both on the reserve/COVID list, the Saints are signing veteran quarterback Blake Bortles to be the backup to projected starter Ian Book.
While not flashy, this is a smart move by the Saints to bring in Bortles, as Book has yet to even attempt an NFL pass. Book showed out during the 2019 season at Notre Dame, throwing for over 3000 yards and 34 touchdown passes. Still, there's no telling how he'll respond to the NFL game, especially against an underrated Dolphins team.
Bortles will act as insurance for the Saints in the event that Book puts up a dud without Hill or Siemian in the picture. Bortles, a six-year veteran, is best known for helping to lead the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC Championship game back in 2017.
The newest member of the Saints spent five seasons in Jacksonville and one in Los Angeles with the Rams, where he totaled a 24-49 record with a 59.3 percent career completion percentage and 103 touchdowns to go against 75 interceptions.
Blake Bortles offers the Saints some veteran quarterback insurance behind Ian Book with Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian both on the reserve/COVID list ahead of the Dolphins game.
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