The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Saints welcome ‘ frenemy’ in QB Bridgewater
NEW ORLEANS — The time has come for Teddy Bridgewater to return to the place where he rehabilitated his NFL career and try to beat the team that helped him do it.
Bridgewater made two starts in the Superdome last year during his 5- 0 run as a fill- in starter for injured Saints quarterback Drew Brees.
If he can win Sunday with his new team, it’ll move the Carolina Panthers ( 3- 3) ahead of New Orleans ( 3- 2) in the NFC South.
“I hated to see him leave the building and now he’s over there. Now he’s the enemy. He’s a frenemy,” Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan said playfully. “He’s an enemy, but he’s a friend. ... And I can’t wait to hit him.”
The Saints tend to be effusive in their praise of Bridgewater, who was attempting to come back from a major knee injury that sidelined him nearly two full seasons when New Orleans made a trade with the New York Jets in 2018 to bring him in as Brees’ backup.
“I really appreciated that time with Teddy, and I’m extremely happy for him and the opportunity that he has there in Carolina,” Brees said. “He’s going to be a franchise quarterback there for a very long time, and have a ton of success — and he deserves it.”
Saints coach Sean Payton, who designs and calls New Orleans’ offense, figured Bridgewater would be a good fit in his scheme and wasn’t disappointed.
“He has an outstanding skill set. He moves. He’s got good arm strength. He’s accurate,” Payton said. “He’s a fantastic leader and players play hard when they’re with him.”
Likewise, Bridgewater is grateful for his time with Payton and Brees.
“I remember talking to Sean Payton and he said he had a vision for me and I just trusted everything he told me. And his vision that he had for me has actually come to life,” Bridgewater recalled, alluding to Payton’s pledge to help him eventually work his way back to starter status in the NFL. “I am just glad I had a chance to cross paths and learn so much.”
When Brees, after pondering retirement, decided to keep playing in2020, Bridgewater entered free agency and was quickly lured to Carolina, where former Saints offensive assistant Joe Brady was the new offensive coordinator.
“Once I heard Carolina offered and heard Joe Brady was here, a lot of it made sense to me,” Bridgewater said. “I’m thankful I have a chance to be here rightnow.”
For the first time this season, ticketed members of the public will be permitted in the Superdome for what will be the Saints’ fourth home game.
The City of New Orleans is allowing a maximum of 3,000 ticketed fans as part of an agreement that could gradually lead to greater numbers in the stadium for future games ifCOVID- 19 figures in New Orleans remain stable or diminish as time goes on — and if games in the dome are not found to be a source of community spread.