The most logical team fit for New Orleans Saints backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has emerged: the Chicago Bears. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported Monday that the Bears were in negotiations with Bridgewater on a potential free agent contract that would usurp Mitchell Trubisky as the starting quarterback in Chicago. An offense loaded with pass-catching talent like Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, and Tarik Cohen could really use an upgrade under center.
Florio also suggested an average salary in the neighborhood of $21 million per year for Bridgewater, which would easily recoup the third-round draft pick the Saints swapped for him back in 2018 (if they qualify for a compensatory pick in next year’s draft).
Bridgewater is reportedly keeping all options on the table as he considered his next step, including a possible return to New Orleans for another year backing up Drew Brees. He ended up starting five games in that role last season, winning all of them, and having one of his best performance against the Bears at Soldier Field in a 36-25 victory. Intriguingly, the Saints are scheduled for another road trip to Chicago in the 2020 season, meaning Brees and his protege could end up squaring off — should the Bears pull off this move.
If the Bears do end up signing Bridgewater, it would demote Trubisky to the backup role — coincidentally putting Chase Daniel, longtime Saints clipboard-holder, on the free agent market. Daniel was one of several quarterbacks we suggested as a possible short-term Bridgewater replacement, so this domino falling could send ripples throughout the NFL (and back to New Orleans).
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