JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — At first glance, the Jacksonville Jaguars seem to be in a bleak situation.

They have the worst record in the NFL — 6-30 — since owner Shad Khan took control of the team in 2012.

They are 4-16 since the Dave Caldwell-Gus Bradley regime started in 2013 and they are 0-4 this year, with all four of their losses by double digits.

The Jaguars are 31st in offensive yardage gained and 32nd in defensive yardage allowed.

Yet there is an air of hope in Jacksonville now that rookie Blake Bortles is the starting quarterback and will start his first game at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.

Bortles gave the Jaguars hope when he threw for 254 yards against the San Diego Chargers in a 33-14 loss last Sunday.

The Jaguars need a better supporting cast around Bortles, but he looks like he can be the team’s quarterback of the future.

The offense was struggling with Chad Henne at quarterback. The Jaguars trailed 30-0 at halftime in their home opener against Indianapolis before Bortles came in and threw for 223 yards.

The Jaguars like what they have seen from Bortles so far.

“I think he really is such a composed and poised guy. It’s really uncanny when you talk to him on the sideline during the game how really relaxed (he is),” offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch said. “He just has this confidence and this air about him.”

Bortles threw an incompletion on the first play in San Diego, but Fisch said he thinks he’ll be more relaxed Sunday.

“Your first start is at home and the energy and the excitement and the enthusiasm of our fans are going to bring Sunday, it’s going to be awesome,” Fisch said.

Some are making early comparisons to Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, but Fisch says not so fast. Give Bortles some time.

“(Roethlisberger) has led his team to unbelievable success,” Fisch said. “Would it be great if one day we can make that comparison? Maybe, sure. At this moment right now, Blake Bortles just has to focus on being Blake Bortles, the best he can do.”

Bortles said of the comparisons, “He’s won two Super Bowls and been to all kinds of Pro Bowls and I’ve played one game. There’s a big difference there.”

Roethlisberger sees the similarities.

“He shows a lot of characteristics of a young me,” he said. “I think he can move better than I can nowadays in my old age, but he does a lot of great things. I’ve excited for his opportunity.”

The Jaguars are excited, too.