Longtime veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater is reportedly hoping for an NFL return after guiding his high school football team to a state title. A first-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, Bridgewater began his career with the Minnesota Vikings and looked like a potential franchise quarterback before suffering a gruesome knee injury during a practice. While he eventually returned to the field, he bounced around the league, spending time with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, and Detroit Lions before calling it a career.
On The Insiders, here is Teddy Bridgewater dropping the news that he plans to make a return to the NFL now that his HS state title is locked in. pic.twitter.com/6XvfT5Zri8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2024
Now that he led his alma mater to a state championship, Bridgewater hopes to return to the NFL in 2025. Now 32 years old, nobody will sign Bridgewater as their long-term starting quarterback, but he could make a living as a high-end backup or short-term starter. Looking across the league, two of his former teams could try and bring him back for the 2025 season.
Teddy Bridgewater Seeks NFL Return – Panthers, Saints Could Go After Him
After a promising three-game stretch, former first-overall pick Bryce Young came back to Earth against a subpar Dallas Cowboys team. Turning the ball over four times, the Panthers could trade Young if he continues to struggle in the final stretch of the season. Even if he bounces back, the jury is still out on whether or not he can be a true franchise quarterback. This team could use an experienced veteran, and Teddy Bridgewater could be the perfect choice for the job.
Andy Dalton filled the role of reliable backup over the past few seasons, but the former Bengal will be a free agent at the end of the season. Given the leaguewide uncertainty surrounding the position and the underwhelming quarterback class, he could land a starting job somewhere else. If that happens, Bridgewater and his safe style of play make him the perfect option as Bryce Young’s backup.
Carr’s Uncertainty
Derek Carr is nothing special, but the former Raider is a better quarterback than Teddy Bridgewater in a vacuum. However, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, Teddy Bridgewater could be the more cost-effective option. Jake Haener and rookie Spencer Rattler have done to prove themselves as long-term answers under center, and New Orleans has too many wins to land one of the few promising quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class. This means they’ll probably move forward with a veteran under center in 2025, and certain coaching staffs might prefer a cost-effective Bridgewater to an expensive Carr.
The Saints still have to hire their next head coach, and whoever earns the job will ultimately determine whether or not to pursue Bridgewater. However, if New Orleans lands Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, he could go after Bridgewater. The former first-round pick spent the 2022 season under Johnson’s tutiledge, which means the veteran should pick up the playbook in short order. If the cash-strapped Saints can save cap space by replacing Carr with Bridgewater, they should consider it. If nothing else, Chris Olave would probably appreciate the move, which could ease trade rumors.
Main Photo: Chet Peterman – USA Today Sports
