It remains to be seen whether the Indianapolis Colts will make a move before the NFL’s October 31 trade deadline. One move they should consider is trading for Detroit Lions quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com wrote an article about the top players at each position who could be traded before the upcoming deadline. The lone quarterback he listed was Bridgewater, who is currently Jared Goff’s backup in Detroit:
“The Lions have plenty of quarterbacks. Jared Goff is the starter, David Blough is on the practice squad and rookie third-round pick Hendon Hooker is on the NFI list. Maybe he could be activated soon. The journeyman Bridgewater could be available if there was a team interested.”
There has been no indication that the Lions are looking to move Bridgewater. If he does become available, though, Indianapolis should pursue a trade for him. The veteran signal-caller could be a respectable backup for starter Gardner Minshew this season.
Indianapolis Colts Should Trade for Teddy Bridgewater
Bridgewater’s Career to Date
Bridgewater is the epitome of a journeyman backup quarterback. The former Louisville Cardinal is on his seventh NFL team right now. Besides the Lions, he has also had stints with the Minnesota Vikings, New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, and Miami Dolphins.
The Vikings selected Bridgewater in the first round (32nd overall pick) of the 2014 NFL Draft. During his second season, he led Minnesota to a NFC North division title and made a trip to the Pro Bowl. A severe leg injury forced Bridgewater to miss the entire 2016 campaign. The Miami, Florida native appeared in just one game the following season.
Bridgewater signed with the Jets in 2018 and has bounced from team to team ever since. He played for his hometown Dolphins last season, starting two games in place of the injured Tua Tagovailoa. He hasn’t appeared in any games for the Lions so far this year.
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Why the Colts Should Trade For Him
Quarterback Anthony Richardson, who the Colts drafted fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, was exciting to watch when healthy. Unfortunately, he will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a shoulder injury during the Week 5 win over the Tennessee Titans. Minshew is now the Colts’ starter. Sam Ehlinger serves as the primary backup and former Texas A&M star Kellen Mond is on the practice squad.
The Colts are currently 3-4 and only one game out of the final AFC Wild Card spot. They should stay competitive throughout the season with Minshew under center. He is arguably the league’s best backup quarterback. However, if he happens to go down with an injury, the team could be in trouble.
Neither Ehlinger nor Mond have much experience. Ehlinger struggled in his three starts last year and Mond has only attempted three regular season passes.
That’s why bringing in Bridgewater makes sense. He has started 65 of his 79 career games and is a former Pro Bowler. Plus, he’s on a one-year contract, which means there won’t be any financial issues for the Colts beyond this season if things don’t work out.
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