It is possible the young free-agent quarterback could re-sign with the Minnesota Vikings this year, but he’s probably going to get interest from other teams as well.
Based on everything that was been said before the offseason began regarding the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback situation for 2018, it sounded like Teddy Bridgewater had a pretty decent chance to return to the team next season.
However, with the recent news of the Vikings being unlikely to try and toll Bridgewater’s contract and the remaining uncertainty surrounding the health of quarterback’s knee, the chance of him coming back to Minnesota in 2018 doesn’t seem as high as it once was.
Since he was a first-round draft pick and is still only 25-years-old, Bridgewater should have a number of other NFL teams interested in signing him this offseason.
Who are some of these teams that have a chance at landing the young free-agent quarterback this year if he doesn’t end up re-signing with the Vikings?
Buffalo Bills:
The Bills are one of the few teams outside of Minnesota that may actually be interested in Bridgewater being their starter next season.
Buffalo currently has Tyrod Taylor still under contract, but multiple reports have made it pretty clear that the team is looking for other starting quarterback options heading into the 2018 season. If the Bills are able to trade Taylor elsewhere, could they shift their focus to signing Bridgewater?
Even if Buffalo cannot find a way to trade Taylor, it’s possible they could still bring in Bridgewater and have a good old fashioned quarterback competition in training camp this year. And if Taylor still wins the job, the Bills would still have a solid backup in Bridgewater who won’t throw five interceptions in one half.
New York Giants:
It’s pretty obvious that the Vikings are the one team that knows the most about the health of Bridgewater’s knee. But new Giants head coach Pat Shurmur is pretty familiar with the young quarterback as well.
Since he was with Minnesota during Bridgewater’s entire recovery process, he has better idea about the quarterback’s future in the NFL than most head coaches around the league not named Mike Zimmer. Is Bridgewater someone Shurmur may want New York to take a risk on this year?
The Giants have stated that Eli Manning will likely remain the team’s starting quarterback for 2018, but beyond that is where things begin to get interesting. If Bridgewater doesn’t mind sitting on the bench for another season before getting an opportunity to start, New York could be a place where he ends up this year.
Miami Dolphins:
Anyone familiar with Bridgewater knows the passion he has for the city of Miami. Born and raised there, it would seem like the quarterback playing for his hometown team would be a dream come true.
The Dolphins have their own problems under center with Ryan Tannehill having missed the entire 2017 season with a knee injury. Tannehill and unknown quarterback Brandon Doughty are the only signal callers currently under contract for Miami, so expect them to add another through free agency or the draft this year.
With Tannehill’s knee health causing uncertainty for his future in the NFL, the Dolphins may be interested in bringing in Bridgewater as an insurance policy. But then again, Miami could also not want to give money to another quarterback coming off a knee injury.
Arizona Cardinals:
The Cardinals, like the Bills, are another team that may consider Bridgewater to be their starting quarterback for next season.
Arizona currently has zero signal callers under contract for 2018, so they obviously in the market to find someone this offseason. The Cardinals are not estimated to have a ton of cap space this year (under $25 million) so Bridgewater could be a cheap starting option for them.
With running back David Johnson returning in 2018, Arizona would also be a team that wouldn’t require Bridgewater to put the entire offense on his shoulders. The Cardinals drafting a quarterback early and signing Bridgewater this offseason sounds like something that could end up being a reality.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Yes, the Jaguars just gave Blake Bortles a contract extension that keeps him signed through 2020. However, this does not mean Jacksonville is completely confident in Bortles being their starting quarterback moving forward.
By giving him an extension though, the Jaguars essentially eliminated themselves from dishing out a ton of money for Kirk Cousins this offseason. But they will still have plenty to spend (around $28 million in cap space) on a new second-string quarterback this year.
As would be the case with Miami, Bridgewater would probably be interested in playing for a team whose home games are played in the state of Florida.
Next: Who will be the Vikings' backup QB in 2018?
It’s possible that Jacksonville could be interested in signing the young quarterback to come and compete for the team’s starting spot this year. And since Bridgewater can throw an accurate 10-yard pass, his chances to overtake Bortles as the Jaguars’ starting quarterback for 2018 would seem pretty good.