We continue our season reviews with New Orleans Saints backup quarterback and pending free agent, Teddy Bridgewater. In 2019, Bridgewater unexpectedly had to assume the starting position and responsibilities after quarterback Drew Brees missed five weeks with a thumb injury.
During that five-game span, Bridgewater was able to lead the Saints to an unanticipated undefeated record. Bridgewater is now set to hit free agency this offseason, and with his resurgence in 2019, should garner interest from teams as a starter.
Level of play in 2019
As previously mentioned, Bridgewater was thrust into the starting quarterback role in Week 2. In the five games he started, Bridgewater averaged 241 passing yards per game, with an average passer rating of 103.68, well above his career average of 88.3. To top it off, in Week 5 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bridgewater had a passer rating of 131.2, the second highest of his career.
On top of his statistics, Bridgewater was able to efficiently lead the offense. In his five games started, the quarterback threw for eight touchdowns with only two interceptions. By protecting the ball, and making sound decisions (as well as a stout defense), the Saints were able to win close games with Bridgewater at the helm.
Bridgewater was asked to do just enough until Brees was able to return, and he was able to exceed those expectations. An efficient offense was maintained and thanks to a sound defense, New Orleans was able to weather was considered a season-ending event with Brees’ injury.
What to expect in 2020
Bridgewater will have a few options come 2020. He can leave the Saints in free agency by taking a starting role somewhere else, such as his hometown Miami Dolphins (who courted him last year). He can also elect to stay with New Orleans for another year with the expectation that Brees will be back for at least another year. By electing to stay, Bridgewater would have to be under the assumption that he would be the “heir apparent” to Brees.
Two different paths mean two different expectations for next season. If he is a starter, he will likely remain an efficient passer, who does not play with a ton of flash, but is able to get the job done.
If he remains with the Saints, Bridgewater will likely be a paragon on the sideline until his number is called, if it ever should be, in 2020. As a fan-favorite, Bridgewater would be welcome back, and is most likely the preferred option to take up the mantle upon Brees’ exit from the team.
