After being acquired by the New York Jets in mid-March of this year, Teddy Bridgewater is heading to New Orleans Saints in exchange for a 2018 third-round pick.
The former Vikings quarterback was a big gamble in free agency, having only taken nine snaps in the past two seasons after the horrific knee injury he suffered in August 2016. With first-round pick Sam Darnold and veteran Josh McCown as a backup, it made sense for the Jets to move on from the $6 million required to keep the 2014 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year.
Bridgewater’s signing paid off for the Jets as his stock skyrocketed each time he stepped on the field in preseason. In his first game back in action of Aug. 10, Bridgewater completed seven of eight passes for 85 yards and a touchdown in a 17-0 win over the Falcons. He followed with two more solid games against the Redskins, completing 10 of 15 for 127 yards and one touchdown, and the Giants, completing 11 of 15 for 104 yards.
The Jets’ team bus was on the way to Philadelphia for the team’s final preseason game when the trade was announced. The bus let Bridgewater off after the trade went down, according to NFL.com.
Crazy scene: #Jets players were on the bus when they stopped, told Teddy Bridgewater he’d been traded, he waved goodbye, then they drove off, source said. Bridgewater headed to the #Saints. Wild.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) August 29, 2018
His flashy ball placement, enticing mobility, and fantastic decision-making have all shown in preseason. New Orleans will be happy to have him behind their star quarterback Drew Brees, as their backup Tom Savage is nowhere near the quality and potential that Bridgewater brings.
As Bridgewater is expected to be one for the future for the Saints, they will need to sign him to a long-term deal this season, as he is only signed through the 2018 season and will be a free agent come March. He is set for a $5 million base salary in New Orleans this season, but could be making a lot more should the Saints offer him a new contract.
