Teams interested in QB Bridgewater
Teddy Bridgewater’s days with the Jets might be coming to end.
The Daily News has learned that at least two teams have expressed interest in trading for Bridgewater. The News reported two weeks ago that the Jets have made it clear to teams across the league that they’re amenable to dealing the quarterback for the right price.
Although the Jets have had several potential trade discussions with interested teams, there have been no concrete offers as of Monday afternoon that would prompt a move yet, according to sources.
Bridgewater has been impressive in the first two preseason games, showing no limitations on his surgically repaired knee that cost him the better part of two seasons. He’s completed 17 of 23 passes for 212 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his first extended work since tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee in a non-contact injury in practice two years ago.
“He’s never showed me that he was injured,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “He did everything in the spring and everything in the summer. He hasn’t taken a play or a day off or show any limp or any hitch to his giddy up. I never seen it, so I just keep it out of mind. He always smiling and doing everything full speed, so I don’t even worry about it. I’m just happy for him.”
Although folks on One Jets Drive have been exceedingly pleased with Bridgewater since the moment he arrived four months ago, the organization is hoping that they get a fair offer to create a win-win for the player and team, according to sources.
The league landscape obviously would be tilted if a team suffers an injury to a signal caller over the next couple weeks. Such a scenario would accelerate a team’s need (i.e — desperation) and significantly increase Bridgewater’s trade value. Short of that, a playoff-caliber team looking to take a page out of the Eagles playbook and upgrade its backup quarterback position would be a viable destination for Bridgewater.
My understanding is that teams have inquired about Bridgewater — and the Jets have made it abundantly clear that they are open for business and would like to reduce their quarterback surplus — but Gang Green is still waiting for a reasonable offer.
There are two intriguing possibilities within the AFC East with the Dolphins and ... the Patriots.
The odds, however, of the Jets trading Bridgewater to Bill Belichick’s Evil Empire are about as realistic as the NFL abolishing the new helmet rule, according to people familiar with the situation.
Here’s a nickel’s worth of free advice: Keep an eye on the Broncos, who are looking to upgrade their backup quarterback spot.
It would be a coup if the Jets turned their $1 million investment in Bridgewater to this point into a premium draft pick (first three rounds). Depending on the quality of offers, my understanding is that the Jets would even consider trading Bridgewater for a fourth-round pick.
It makes sense given that Gang Green almost certainly will not get a 2020 compensatory pick when Bridgewater walks in free agency given all the money they will spend in free agency next year. The team has no plans of placing the franchise tag on Bridgewater after this season (barring a serious injury to Sam Darnold in the next few weeks, obviously), according to sources.
The Jets are all-in on Darnold, who has been impressive the past few months. As The News previously reported, Darnold is in line to be the Week 1 starter barring a significant regression in the third preseason game against the Giants. It would be an upset if he regressed given everything that he has shown the team in the past few months.
“He’s progressing fast,” offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates said about Darnold on Monday. “He’s owned the playbook.”
There is no trade market for Josh McCown, who signed a one-year, $10 million deal this summer. Bridgewater’s one-year, $6 million includes $9 million in incentives, but keep this in mind: If he earns any of those playtime and performance incentives (like $2.5 million for 50 percent of the snaps/playoffs and $1.25 million if he throws for more than $3,000 yards), that money will count toward the 2019 salary cap.
Bridgewater has been a portrait of professionalism amid rumblings that he could be dealt.
“This is all about opportunity,” Bridgewater said. “I am blessed with the opportunity to continue to do what I love to do. That’s what is most important to me right now. Just waking up every day knowing that I get to continue to play football. I get to come to work every day and challenge these guys to be the best men that they can be and the best football players that they can be. What more could you ask for?”