The biggest quarterback openly available is officially off the market. The New York Jets reportedly traded former first-round pick Teddy Bridgewater and a sixth-round pick to the New Orleans Saints on Wednesday, according to multiple league sources. In exchange, the New York Jets received the Saints 2019 third-round pick.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater Traded to New Orleans Saints
Bridgewater initially signed a one-year deal with the Jets in the 2018 off-season. Once seen as one of the better young quarterbacks in football, Bridgewater suffered a devastating knee injury in 2016. During a practice session, Bridgewater tore his ACL and suffered considerable structural damage to his knee. While he managed to return in 2017, Bridgewater was relegated to third-string quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings.
The Jets took a chance on Bridgewater, singing him to a one-year deal with a $500,000 signing bonus. Through three preseason games, Bridgewater appeared to be completely healthy, throwing for 316 yards, two touchdowns and one interception on 38 passes.
Bridgewater figures to be the primary backup to Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Brees, now age 39, signed a two-year, $50 million contract in the 2018 off-season. Barring injuries or a dramatic decline in production, Bridgewater will not see the field in 2018. However, his arrival likely signals the release of veteran quarterback Tom Savage.
With Bridgewater gone, the New York Jets announced that rookie quarterback Sam Darnold will be the Week One starter. Darnold, the third overall pick out of USC, has put together a solid preseason of his own.
In portions of three games, Darnold has completed 29 of 45 passes for 244 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Longtime NFL veteran Josh McCown will serve as the primary backup for Gang Green.
Thanks to this trade, the New Orleans Saints will now enter the 2019 NFL Draft without a selection in the first and third rounds. They gave up their third-round pick for Bridgewater, and gave their 2019 pick to the Green Bay Packers to move up in the 2018 NFL Draft.
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