Teddy Bridgewater - Pro Football Rumors

NFC Notes: Falcons, Vikes, Cowboys, Cards

July 26th, 2017 at 7:07pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Although he hasn’t gotten a new contract yet, Falcons running back Devonta Freeman reported to training camp Wednesday, per Zach Klein of WSB in Atlanta (on Twitter). Freeman insisted during the offseason that he wouldn’t hold out, so it’s not surprising that he joined his teammates at the outset of camp. While Freeman’s agent left town after a meeting with Falcons brass on Wednesday, talks are ongoing, according to ESPN.com’s Vaughn McClure, who suggests that a deal could come together by Thursday.

NFC Notes: Packers, Vikings, Falcons, Cards

July 23rd, 2017 at 8:53pm CST by Rory Parks

After taking a swing around the AFC earlier today, let’s take a look at a few NFC notes:

Teddy Bridgewater is likely to begin camp on the Active/PUP list, but Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports (on Twitter) the rehabbing quarterback has enjoyed some productive training sessions in Florida recently. The 24-year-old passer has not been cleared to practice but did do some throwing while at Vikings OTAs in May. Apparently, Bridgewater’s progressed further in between minicamp and training camp. But he’s still less than a year removed from the gruesome knee injury that changed the course of his career.
The Packers added defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois earlier this year to bolster a defensive line that badly needed reinforcements, and as Ryan Wood of PackersNews.com writes, Green Bay has been interested in the LSU product for years. The club wanted to sign him after the 2012 season, but Jean-Francois joined the Colts instead before moving on to Washington. The Redskins released him in March, clearing the way for his one-year pact with the Packers.
Patrick Peterson‘s running mate at corner has served as one of the main discussion items of the Cardinals‘ offseason. Bruce Arians said Sunday (via Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com) the position remains open and likely won’t be decided until the regular season begins. Arians, though, praised the work of Justin Bethel (Twitter link, via Urban) — less than a year after the coach labeled the corner a “failure in progress.” The Cardinals could still be in the market for a veteran corner, Urban writes, but as of now the battle is between Bethel and second-year man Brandon Williams.
Falcons head coach Dan Quinn and assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator Raheem Morris have been close for years, and Quinn believes Morris will get another head coaching job in the NFL, as Vaughn McClure of ESPN.com writes. Morris, of course, coached the division-rival Buccaneers from 2009-11 and compiled a disappointing 17-31 record. Nonetheless, Quinn said Morris is more than equipped to handle a head coaching position and hopes he will get his next chance in the near future. Morris declined to talk about his head coaching ambitions out of respect for Quinn and the team.

Sam Robinson contributed to this report

Teddy Bridgewater Likely To Land On PUP List To Start Camp

July 23rd, 2017 at 6:05pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mike Zimmer expects Teddy Bridgewater to begin training camp on the PUP list, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Vikings quarterback returned to the practice field in May, nine months after his gruesome knee injury sidetracked his career. Tomasson notes this re-emergence included Bridgewater throwing to wide receivers, but the former first-round pick wasn’t cleared to practice. The team will begin practice Thursday from Mankato, Minn.

Minnesota placing Bridgewater on the Active/PUP list does not mean its former starter is shelved for the first six weeks of the season. Were Bridgewater to remain on the PUP once the regular season begins, though, it would. And then the situation would become complicated.

Bridgewater landing on the Reserve/PUP list come Week 1 could cause his contract to toll, meaning he’d still be attached to his 2017 Vikings salary ($2.18MM) in 2018 instead of hitting free agency. The Vikings did not pick up Bridgewater’s fifth-year option. A report surfaced in May Bridgewater’s camp would fight a PUP designation, if it’s believed the passer could pass a physical.

But that is several weeks away. Tomasson reports Bridgewater, who wore a knee brace when he took the field to throw passes earlier this offseason, threw without a brace in a subsequent session.

Extra Points: Kap, Lions, Bolts, Texans

May 24th, 2017 at 9:46pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Although the Lions are lacking a veteran backup quarterback, they’ve given no consideration to signing free agent Colin Kaepernick, head coach Jim Caldwell said Wednesday (via Nate Atkins of MLive.com). Caldwell respects Kaepernick’s ability – “I don’t think that his skill level has diminished to the point where he would be completely ineffective in this league,” he said – but the Lions will go forward with Jake Rudock and Brad Kaaya behind Matthew Stafford.

While Caldwell seems somewhat bullish on Kaepernick, questions regarding the 29-year-old have been mounting around the NFL since 2013 – his second full season as a starter – details Mike Sando of ESPN.com. Back then, one agent told Sando: “I don’t think he’s a very good quarterback. I think he is an incredible athlete.” More recently, Sando spoke earlier this month with various evaluators who addressed the fact that Kaepernick remains unsigned. “I do think he is getting kind of screwed,” said one team executive. But a personnel director noted: “You bring him in, and it is a media onslaught. It is not good or bad. It’s just, every time there is a social issue or anything that comes up, they are going to call him, they are going to want his feedback. Is that wrong? No, it’s not wrong. But he has thrust himself out there, much like Tim Tebow has with other various items or agendas. Is it really worth it?”

As Kaepernick waits to see if Seattle will end up as his next landing spot, here’s more from around the league:

The Chargers’ first-round pick, wide receiver Mike Williams, could be falling behind early on account of a back injury that he suffered on the first day of rookie minicamp nearly two weeks ago. Williams, the seventh overall selection, hasn’t been able to take the field during OTAs, leading to some concern from head coach Anthony Lynn. “I’d like to see him out there next week because he’s getting behind right now, and we’ve got to get him back out on the field,” Lynn said (via Eric D. Williams of ESPN.com). “If he wasn’t a rookie it would be different. But he has so much to learn, and some of this you can only learn on the field.” Williams is the second first-rounder in a row to start off inauspiciously for the Chargers, whose top pick in 2016, Joey Bosa, didn’t debut until October on account of a contentious holdout and a hamstring injury. Of course, those initial roadblocks didn’t prevent Bosa from having an excellent rookie season.
Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry returned to the practice field Tuesday for the first time since being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma in June 2014, per Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The 2013 sixth-round pick was set to enter his second season before the diagnosis temporarily derailed his life and career. Fortunately, Quessenberry went into remission in 2015 and then wrapped up his chemotherapy treatment this past April.
Like Quessenberry, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater took to the practice field for the first time in a while on Tuesday (a devastating knee injury had kept Bridgewater completely out of action since last August). The 24-year-old then ventured to Dallas on Wednesday for a medical checkup that yielded positive news, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Edward Lewis of NFL.com). Bridgewater’s doctor told him that “he’s making progress in his rehab and lateral movement,” writes Lewis.

Vikings’ Teddy Bridgewater Returns To Field

May 23rd, 2017 at 7:32pm CST by Dallas Robinson

In what is extremely uplifting news, Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater returned to the practice field today, as documented in a short video posted on the club’s website. Bridgewater, of course, hasn’t been able to participate in football activities since tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee joint last August.

While the video is concise and doesn’t show much, Bridgewater is seen moving about, taking snaps, and throwing passes with a large brace on his left leg. Technically, Bridgewater didn’t “return to practice,” according to Matt Vensel of the Star Tribune (Twitter link), as the throws were part of Bridgewater’s recovery process. Still, as Vensel notes, simply witnessing Bridgewater able to perform some sort of football task is very encouraging.

Given that today marks the first we’ve seen of Bridgewater since last fall, it’s entirely unclear how far along he is in his rehabilitation, or what possibility exists of the 24-year-old playing during the 2017 campaign. Head coach Mike Zimmer admitted earlier this year that he has “no idea” when Bridgewater will fully return to action. With that in mind, the Viking signed veteran Case Keenum in March to back up starting quarterback Sam Bradford.

If Bridgewater doesn’t play next year, and spends the season on the reserve/PUP list, his contract could toll, meaning the Vikings would again hold his rights in 2018. However, Bridgewater and his representation could push back against any attempt by Minnesota to hold onto him for an additional year.

Extra Points: Bridgewater, Bolts, Colts

May 7th, 2017 at 9:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

Teddy Bridgewater‘s 2017 status could be at the epicenter of a major dispute, with the NFLPA and Bridgewater’s camp on one side and the Vikings/NFL on the other. The Vikings did not pick up the quarterback’s fifth-year option last week, but due to a CBA provision that could make Bridgewater’s contract toll, the passer could be to his rookie deal through 2018 despite the team’s refusal to pick up the $11MM-plus option. Florio now reports this is shaping up as a contentious battle, should certain events unfold.

Should Bridgewater end up on the PUP list, which shelves a player for the first six weeks of the season, his $1.354MM salary would stand to carry over to 2018. A CBA provision indicates players in the final year of their contracts would see those deals toll to the following season if they spend more than six games on the PUP list. Bridgewater and the NFLPA would be ready to challenge a PUP designation by the Vikings, Florio reports, if the two parties believe he could pass a physical and follow the course to free agency in 2018. They would thereby be accusing the team of using the PUP list to keep the quarterback in the Twin Cities for an extra year at a cheaper rate. This is moot as of now, since it’s uncertain if Bridgewater will be able to pass a physical by September, but a source told Florio this would be a “huge” battle if it comes to pass.

Rick Spielman said he’s aware of this rule, but he did not comment further during an appearance on PFT Live earlier this week. One confusing component of this process that could work in the NFLPA’s favor is the NFL Management Council interpreting in past cases that the relevant language here means a player would need to spend the whole season on the PUP list for the contract to toll, Florio notes. So, this could be a complex offseason for the former Minnesota starter. Mike Zimmer said in March he does not know if Bridgewater will be able to play this season. The Vikings have already named Sam Bradford their starter.

Here’s the latest from around the league.

Speaking of NFLPA-vs.-NFL issues, the union is holding up some teams’ contract negotiations with rookies due to the belief some provisions in proposed accords are in violation of the CBA, Tom Pelissero of USA Today reports. The NFLPA sent a memo to agents urging them to reject certain types of proposals they feel violate the CBA. Language regarding players’ health and money they could owe their respective teams represents some of the issues causing the union to object to teams’ negotiations, and multiple execs told Pelissero the union’s stance here has slowed down the process.
The Chargers experienced major injury issues at running back last season. In addition to Melvin Gordon failing to finish a season for the second time in as many years, injuries shelved Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Dexter McCluster. Woodhead and McCluster are no longer with the Bolts, and the team did not use a draft pick on a back. Part of this equation involves the Bolts’ belief Andre Williams can be a viable Gordon backup, Eric Williams of ESPN.com notes. After spending most of last season on the Chargers’ practice squad, the former Giants fourth-round pick rushed for 87 yards in the season finale against the Chiefs. Bolts coaches observed Andre Williams giving the defense fits in practice last season, per Eric Williams. Los Angeles did add former Eagles backup Kenjon Barner in free agency, and he joins Kenneth Farrow, Oliver and Williams as potential Gordon backups.
The Colts‘ first-round selection of Malik Hooker looks to halt Darius Butler‘s wishes to play safety, Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star writes. Butler re-signed with the Colts on a one-year, $3MM deal but did so in hopes the team would allow him to transition to safety full-time. But Holder notes that Hooker unexpectedly falling to No. 15 should push Butler back to the nickel role, where he’d work in the slot.

Extra Points: Vikes, Lions, Jets, Cards

May 5th, 2017 at 9:45pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Thanks to the brutal knee injury he suffered last summer, there’s no guarantee Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will play football again. Nevertheless, head coach Mike Zimmer spoke encouragingly about Bridgewater’s future Friday, telling Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press that he’s optimistic the 24-year-old will be a Viking for the long haul (Twitter link). While Bridgewater is technically entering a contract year (the Vikings declined his fifth-year option for 2018 earlier this week), he won’t necessarily be a free agent next offseason. If Bridgewater starts the season on the physically unable to prepare list, he’d miss at least six games, causing his contract to toll, reports Mike Florio of the Pro Football Talk. Thus, Bridgewater would remain a Viking in 2018 for the same salary he’ll make this year ($1.354MM).

Vikings Decline Teddy Bridgewater’s Option

May 1st, 2017 at 2:59pm CST by Zachary Links

As expected, the Vikings have declined Teddy Bridgewater‘s fifth-year option. The news was confirmed by the team today as it picked up the 2018 option for linebacker Anthony Barr.

Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer admitted that he has “no idea” whether Bridgewater will be able to play in 2017. With that kind of uncertainty surrounding the one-time face of the franchise, it’s hard to argue with the Vikings’ decision. The 2018 option is not a full guarantee, but it is guaranteed for injury and the Vikings could not reasonably take that kind of risk since Bridgewater may never be the same player.

In fact, we don’t know for sure that Bridgewater can return to football after suffering a gruesome leg injury last summer. For now, the Vikings will plan on having Sam Bradford as the starting QB with new pickup Case Keenum as the backup.

Vikes To Decline Teddy Bridgewater’s Option

April 26th, 2017 at 9:10am CST by Zachary Links

The Vikings are unlikely to pick up quarterback Teddy Bridgewater‘s fifth-year option, league sources tell ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Minnesota has until early May to formally make the call.

The news doesn’t come as a huge surprise when considering the medical battle that still lies ahead for the QB. Recently, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer admitted that he has “no idea” whether Bridgewater will be able to play in 2017. When Bridgewater does return, he’ll be susceptible to further complications and with that in mind the Vikings are not inclined to guarantee his 2018 season for injury. The option year is worth upwards of $11MM.

Bridgewater, of course, missed all of last season after suffering an ACL tear and knee dislocation. After the injury, the Vikings traded for Sam Bradford and this year they signed Case Keenum to be his backup. The Vikings are hoping for the best with Bridgewater, but they are planning for the worst and proceeding as though they will not get him back on the field anytime soon.

NFC Rumors: Eagles, Vikes, Giants, Redskins

March 29th, 2017 at 10:29pm CST by Dallas Robinson

When the Eagles re-signed quarterback Sam Bradford to a two-year deal in the spring of 2016, the club structured the contract in such a way that enabled them to trade Bradford before the end of the pact, owner Jeffrey Lurie told Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com and Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links). Lurie equated the Bradford deal to buying a draft pick, as the Eagles gave the veteran signal-caller an $11MM signing bonus that would immediately accelerate on Philadelphia’s salary cap in the event of a trade. The Eagles, of course, did end up dealing Bradford to the Vikings for a 2017 first-round pick.

Here’s more from the NFC:

After conceding that he has “no idea” if Teddy Bridgewater will be able to play in 2017, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said his club will likely bring in a backup quarterback fairly soon, report Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press and Mark Craig of the Minneapolis Star Tribune (Twitter links). Along with Bridgewater, the only QBs on Minnesota’s roster are Bradford and 24-year-old Taylor Heinecke, who has never attempted an NFL pass. Shaun Hill, the Vikings’ No. 2 quarterback last season, is an unrestricted free agent. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt McGloin, and Case Keenum are among the best available free agent signal-callers who would be open to a reserve role.
The Giants are open to adding a veteran kicker to compete with unproven option Aldrick Rosas, per Dan Duggan of NJ.com (Twitter link). Rosas, 22, is the only kicker on New York’s roster, and he’s never attempted a kick in the NFL. The Giants signed the former undrafted free agent to a futures deal in January. Robbie Gould, Big Blue’s kicker in 2016, signed a two-year, $4MM contract with the 49ers earlier this month.
Redskins head coach Jay Gruden was upset to hear about the dismissal of former general manager Scot McCloughan. as Liz Clarke of the Washington Post writes. “I was disappointed,” Gruden said. “I like Scot. I liked working with Scot. I think he’s a good person and a great talent evaluator. Anytime you lose someone, it’s disappointing. But at the end of the day, it’s professional football. Anyone who has been around it understands that change is going to happen.” Washington isn’t planning to hire a new GM until after the draft.