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How the Saints are handling their quarterback dilemma.
Ian Book is the only quarterback on the roster for the Saints. (0:54)
11:56 AM
The New Orleans Saints are signing veteran quarterback, Bortles, a source confirmed to ESPN on Friday.
Ian Book is expected to make his NFL debut Monday night against the Miami Dolphins.
Bortles was selected with the third overall pick in the 2014 draft and spent his first five seasons with Jacksonville. He's spent time with the Los Angeles Rams, Denver Broncos, and Green Bay Packers.
Bortles was a backup for the Packers in the off-season when Rodgers was injured, and then was a backup again in November when the Packers were without Rodgers. He hasn't attempted a pass in an NFL game since he was with the Rams.
The Saints have placed 11 players on the reserve list this week, including starting safety Malcolm Jenkins. They have been without their coach since last Friday because of a positive test, but he is expected to return before Monday's game.
Bortles' signing was reported by NOLA.com.
Book, who was drafted in the fourth round out of Notre Dame, would be the fifth quarterback to start for the Saints during the 2021. Jameis Winston suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 8 of the season, and both Siemian and Hill replaced him.
The Saints are 30th in the league in passing yards per game and last in completion percentage, as a result of that attrition.
Book was a starter at Notre Dame and went 30-5, finishing with the most wins in school history. He is just 6 feet tall, so he went lower in the draft. His ability to make plays when the pocket breaks down was one of his calling cards at Notre Dame.
No matter what happens at quarterback, the Saints will rely on a defense that shut out Tom Brady in Sunday's win.
