Teddy Bridgewater remains the top free agent quarterback left unsigned, but it sounds like his market is starting to heat up. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler (via Twitter), the veteran has drawn interest from several teams. This includes a “strong contract offer” from the Lions.
After starting 29 games for the Panthers and Broncos between 2020 and 2021, Bridgewater reverted to his standard backup role with the Dolphins in 2022. He started two of his five appearances while filling in for Tua Tagovailoa, losing both of his starts while tossing four touchdowns vs. four interceptions.
While the 30-year-old is coming off his weakest statistical season in years, it’s no surprise that teams are starting to line up for his services. He went 16-18 as a starter between 2019 and 2021, completing 68 percent of his passes for 8,169 yards, 42 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions. Bridgewater has established himself as the top backup QB in the league, and his willingness to wait for a starting opportunity should afford him a few more contracts before he calls it a career.
Bridgewater would be a natural fit in Detroit; he’s familiar with Lions coach Dan Campbell from when the two were in New Orleans. Starter Jared Goff has been relatively healthy in recent years, never missing more than three starts in a season. Still, the 2023 campaign will mark Goff’s age-29 season and his eighth professional campaign, and following a surprising 9-8 season that saw them barely miss the playoffs, it’s not a huge surprise that the Lions would want some top-end insurance for their starting QB.
The Lions re-signed Nate Sudfeld earlier this offseason, but the 29-year-old profiles more as a third-string quarterback considering the 37 professional passing attempts on his resume.
Bridgewater would be a decent backup to have on hand.
Come on Teddy… Detroit can use you as a backup qb
I like him as a Raven. I do believe Lamar will take the 32 tag but with it will he be 100% ready physically and mentally to perform in game one? With Teddy and Lamar both Louisville Cardinals, does that relieve any tension between a perceived training camp competition between starter and back up?
That would be an interesting tandem since I believe both were pick #32 as well.
Just imagine if Lamar sat out in order to force a trade. Many skilled offensive players have done so in the past but never a former MVP and starting QB. If he was to do so the ravens season would be over before it even started. The negative for Lamar would be the possible huge affect on his relationship with his current teammates and his perception around the league.
At this point I’d just like to see that saga come to a close. My favourite landing spot was Miami, think Him, Tyrek, Waddle would be really cool. But that have really cooled. So now it would be Lamar for Mac Jones and a first.
Ravens get a cheaper, pocket passing style QB, when it comes to extensions they won’t have to pay as much and he doesn’t carry the same injury risk. For the Pats, it looks like Mac is really on the outer and you hardly ever draft well in the first anyway. May aswell give up the pick for a huge upgrade at QB
Yep, just looked it up. Both 32nd overall. Interesting possible duo in deed.
Surprised that Detroit feels that Goff needs a top-end backup. Cap space would probably be better spent elsewhere unless there’s something shaky about Goff’s health that the rest of the world doesn’t know about.
@Alec
My thoughts exactly. When you have a legit #1 QB at a high salary (such as Goff), the money it’d take to sign one of the market’s best backup QBs would probably be better spent augmenting the depth of other positions, on players who will see a fair amount of snaps and keep their respective units fresh in games.
If the Lions are insistent on carrying a 3rd QB, I’d prefer for it to be a developmental one in the late rounds of the draft.
I suppose it could be argued the other way-Detroit knows or thinks that it can contend with Goff as QB, and think that his play there is what drives that competitive status. They want a quality backup so that they won’t drop out of contention if Goff is injured. Having a starting level backup ensures, or increases chances, that the team won’t take a step back if their QB goes down.
I don’t know if I would call Bridgewater the league’s best backup (I would probably give that to Andy Dalton or Gardner Minshew), but Bridgewater is definitely close. We haven’t seen Wentz as a backup, so it’s hard to see where he realistically slots in, but Bridgewater is likely the best option still available.
You’re good with Sudfeld as a backup? Bridgewater was $6.5M last year. Somehow I don’t think he’ll get a raise.
Looks like teams around the league are not interested in Lamar Jackson. I do believe sitting out 23 is very possible. Get a vet QB in to the fold sooner than later Raven’s front office. A Teddy B or the like!
For 2 reasons:
1st: if he sits out
2nd: if he comes back and he is not 100% ready physically and/or emotionally to the lead the team by game 1.
IMO the Ravens FO is anticipating the likelihood of Lamar not being their by game 1. They have already secured through contract having their, other than Lamar, top 4 RBs I’m the fold. Dobbins, Gus Buss, Hill and blocking back Ricard.
Looks like the FO is going with a simplified run first offense requiring a game manager not game changer QB? If Huntley is your guy, ok. Hmmm.I dunno know? Now bringing in someone like Teddy B, maybe?
Ravens are built to compete in 23. Get a Teddy B or the like in now to be as ready as possible by game 1.
As a diehard Lions fan, I would much rather draft Hendon Hooker with one of our 2nd round picks and let him backup Goff. I honestly think HH could be the steal of this draft at QB. Watching a few games of his in the SEC, which is about as close as you’ll get to the NFL in college, he more than held his own this past season and I honestly believe he’ll end up better than most (if not all) of the QBs coming out this year. I don’t see Young, Stroud or Levis being franchise type QBs and HH could end up with the best situation to sit and learn this year with Goff and OC Ben Johnson. Regardless, I think he’d be a better option than a high priced backup like Bridgewater.
That would at least be more of a future play, than Bridgewater.