New Orleans Saints: Is Teddy Bridgewater the answer?
With the New Orleans Saints only having a few drafts picks, a quarterback is a low priority. Could Teddy Bridgewater be Drew Brees’ heir?
For years, quarterback Drew Brees has been the heart of the New Orleans Saints. Even now, he continues to be a big part of the team and the city. It’s not hard to see why as Brees immediately made an impact on the team and the community. It’s clear that he loves the city and the city loves him. That’s why it’s so hard to imagine life without him.
Alas, at 40 years old, Brees is starting to show the signs of his age. At the beginning of the 2018 season, he looked like he was young again. He went a majority of the season without throwing an interception. Once the second half of the season rolled around, there was a slight decline, but the team managed to pull through. With that small decline, it’s not hard to imagine that Brees doesn’t have many years left.
Many assumed the Saints would take a quarterback in the 2018 draft. Instead, the team traded up for Marcus Davenport. Then, right before the regular season, they traded for Teddy Bridgewater, who has bounced from the Vikings and Jets after an injury derailed his career early. Many assumed he would sign with another team this offseason, but stayed with the Saints. Could the Saints be considering Bridgewater to replace Drew Brees is the big question?
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To answer it simply, yes. They wouldn’t have re-signed Bridgewater if they didn’t believe he could help the team. Last season, Bridgewater only started in on game and, even though the team lost, he put good numbers for someone who hasn’t played much. He finished the game going 14-of-22 for 118 yards, one touchdown and one interception. While the game didn’t mean anything for the Saints, it was a test for Bridgewater.
Looking at the future, the Saints have a good thing going with Bridgewater. They re-signed him to a one-year deal, giving them some wiggle room if he doesn’t live up to their expectations. He also has the chance to sit behind Brees and learn from him. Brees is arguably one of the best quarterbacks of our generation and his knowledge is extremely valuable. Maybe the Saints will decide to take the same approach as the Packers did with Aaron Rodgers.
Unlike Rodgers, though, Bridgewater already has some experience as a starter. He helped lead the Vikings to the postseason in his second year before getting injured. If he was healthy, who knows where the Vikings would be now? Probably not stuck with Kirk Cousins, but that’s a story for another day.
In addition to experience and the mentorship of Brees, Bridgewater is young. At only 26 years old, he still has a lot of years left to play. He might not be a starter this year or next, but his time will come. Bridgewater has the chance to inherit a team with a lot of potential and a chance at a dynasty. The Saints are smart to invest in Bridgewater now to see what he can do instead of drafting another quarterback.
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Between Taysom Hill and Bridgewater, Bridgewater has a better chance of being a starter. Hill is more a jack-of-all-trades for the team. Right now, it looks like Bridgewater will take the reins after Drew Brees retires. Hopefully, it won’t be for another two years. Until then, it seems like Bridgewater is content and that’s all the Saints can ask for.