Saints Made Out Like Bandits in Teddy Bridgewater-Jets Trade When Looking Back
By Jerry Trotta
In March of 2018, the New York Jets, who were set on selecting a quarterback in the upcoming draft, made a smart move by signing Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year, $15 million contract. Of course, the Jets drafted USC star Sam Darnold at No. 3 overall and he went on to start 13 games as a rookie.
It was widely understood that New York signed Bridgewater with the intent of trading him to a QB-needy team down the road, and the franchise managed to find a buyer in the New Orleans Saints that August. In return, the Jets received a third-round pick, and, at the time, it looked like their master plan worked out perfectly.
However, it didn't exactly pan out like that for Gang Green.
Trade of Teddy Bridgewater to the Saints is expected to involve draft picks.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2018
And with Bridgewater headed to Saints, Sam Darnold now looks to be Jets opening-night starter.
Bridgewater quickly morphed into a fan favorite in the Big Easy. Drew Brees suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand early in the 2019 season following a nasty collision with Rams star Aaron Donald, which forced Teddy into action. To everybody's surprise, the Saints didn't skip a beat with Bridgewater under center while Brees was shelved for several weeks.
The 2015 Pro Bowler led New Orleans to a 5-0 record. He completed almost 68% of his passes for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions, showing the rest of the NFL that he had fully recovered from the career-threatening leg injury he suffered with Minnesota back in 2016.
As for the Jets, well, they ended up trading that third-rounder, and have since failed to equip Darnold with capable weapons. In the former Trojan's two-year stint as the starter, New York is a lousy 11-15. That's not to say that record would have been different with Bridgewater running the offense, but it's certainly something worth pondering. The Panthers, who picked up Teddy and shuffled Cam Newton out the door this offseason, certainly think he's the right guy.
Compensation update on Jets-Saints trade: New York is sending QB Teddy Bridgewater and a sixth-round pick to New Orleans for a third-round pick, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 29, 2018
No matter which way you slice it, the Saints absolutely fleeced the Jets in this trade. If you told us that at the time of the deal, well, we probably would have laughed in your face.