Jets Considering Teddy Bridgewater

He’s not their first choice, but the Jets are considering free agent Teddy Bridgewater as they address their quarterback position this offseason, a team source tells Ralph Vacchiano of SNY. Jets coach Todd Bowles has said that the Jets have a “Plan A, B, C, and possibly D” at QB, but it’s not clear where the team ranks Bridgewater at this time. 

Bridgewater’s last full season came in 2015, when he threw for 3,231 yards, 13 touchdowns and nine interceptions. The former first-rounder also ran for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 44 carries. But, thanks to a gruesome knee injury prior to the 2016 season, the QB has attempted only two passes in the last two NFL seasons.

The Jets are hoping to sign Kirk Cousins when free agency opens up on March 14, but they’re already concerned about chatter that Cousins will join up with the Vikings. The Jets have tons of cap space and are reportedly willing to make Cousins the highest-paid player in the NFL, but the Vikings present him with a better chance to win right away.

If the Jets miss out on Cousins, it’s possible that they could see Bridgewater as the best backup plan in free agency. Bridgewater’s teammates Case Keenum and Sam Bradford may also be considerations, but Bridgewater arguably offers the highest upside of the trio. A.J. McCarron, who recently won his grievance to become an unrestricted free agent, also offers promise, but there is limited game film on him after years spent as Andy Dalton‘s backup in Cincinnati.

The Jets are also armed with the No. 6 pick in the draft, but prospects in their range like Wyoming’s Josh Allen or Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield cannot be counted on. Even fellow top QBs like USC’s Sam Darnold and UCLA’s Josh Rosen – who may go Nos. 1 and 2 in the draft – are not viewed as slam dunks to be successful.