Per Mike Sando, an NFL general manager said at the Combine he was hearing the Buccaneers are “hot” on Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater.
Tampa Bay could need a new quarterback if the Buccaneers elect not to use the franchise tag on QB Jameis Winston. After Winston tossed 30 interceptions in 2019, Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians could be attracted to someone like Bridgewater who takes care of the football better.
Bridgewater will likely hit free agency in a couple of weeks after Saints starting QB Drew Brees announced his return for 2020. With pending RFA QB Taysom Hill also in need of a new contract, it’s unlikely the Saints will have room for Bridgewater.
Bridgewater played himself into a chance at a starting position this year by going 5-0 in relief of Brees in 2019. He’s expected to have a “strong” free-agent market.
Bridgewater, 27, is a former first-round pick of the Vikings back in 2014. He played out the final year of his four-year, $6,849,502 rookie contract after Minnesota declined to pick up his fifth-year option.
Bridgewater signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Jets last year that included just $500,000 guaranteed. However, the Jets later traded him to the Saints during the preseason and he returned to New Orleans last year on another one-year contract.
In 2019, Bridgewater appeared in nine games for the Saints and completed 67.8 percent of his passes for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed for 31 yards.
We have him included in our Top 100 – 2020 Free Agents list.
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