Bridgewater’s comeback continues
Quarterback expected to see action Friday
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — When Jets quarterback Teddy Bridgewater runs onto the field for Friday’s preseason opener against the Falcons, it will mark a significant step in his long and remarkable comeback. Bridgewater plans to treat it as such. “I am very excited,” Bridgewater said. “I get excited every day I get to get my ankles taped, lace my cleats up and run out of the locker room and practice because it was taken away from me for two years. To be able to just wake up and know you have the opportunity to continue to do something that you love doing, it’s a great feeling.”
Two years ago this month, Bridgewater’s career, and life, changed in an instant. One moment, he was the Vikings’ 23-year-old starting quarterback. Then he took a wrong step in a non-contact practice drill, injuring his left knee so badly that doctors were briefly worried his leg might have to be amputated.
But Bridgewater never doubted that he would get back on a football field, and he’s been fighting for it ever since. The first steps came in 2017 when he played briefly at the end of one regular-season game.
But Friday will be his first extended action since suffering the injury. And the 25-year-old says he’s ready.
“I definitely feel like I am good,” Bridgewater said. “I have been working with the training staff here and we have been hitting it hard, and I am excited. … I am looking forward to these upcoming preseason games and just getting out there and having fun playing football again.”
Bridgewater, who signed with the Jets in March, has impressed in offseason workouts and the first week of training camp. He’s locked in a threeway quarterback competition with Josh McCown and Sam Darnold. And Bridgewater’s surgically repaired knee, over which he wears a brace and a sleeve, has not been a hindrance.
He has impressed his coach and teammates with his work ethic, attitude and play.
“He’s a pro’s pro,” McCown said. “Just his poise in the huddle, how he carries himself, and every time he steps on the field he’s ready to go. He’s prepared and he puts the time in to make sure when he gets to the line of scrimmage he has answers to solve problems different defenses can throw at him.
“I’ve been really impressed, and then he’s just an accurate passer. Great touch, and again, a ton of poise, even off, and a great leader for our team. He’s been really, really cool to work with.”
Friday could be just the latest step in Bridgewater’s road back to being a starting quarterback. But there’s also a good chance that if that happens, it won’t be with the Jets.
If Darnold proves that he’s ready to be the starter right now, Bridgewater would become a logical trade candidate. McCown isn’t getting traded on a oneyear, $12 million deal at age 39. Meanwhile, Bridgewater who is on a one-year, $6 million contract, could be appealing for a quarterback-needy team, especially if he proves he can play this preseason.
It’s a strange situation for Bridgewater to be in. But getting traded isn’t something he thinks about.
“No, not at all,” he said. “I live in the moment. You control what you can control. For me it is coming to work every day and putting forth my best effort, leading my group up and down the field, throwing completions and getting us in and out of the right plays. ... Everything else will take care of itself, right now I have to live in the moment and trust the process.”