Von Miller wasn’t the only #Broncos veteran who drew interest before last week’s trade deadline. They also had inquiries about Teddy Bridgewater — including from the #Saints — but never considered dealing their starting QB. @NFLGameDay @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/KBVUEHLcom
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 7, 2021
Well that’s interesting. The New Orleans Saints had a big problem at quarterback after Jameis Winston was diagnosed with a season-ending knee injury last week, so they went to a familiar source in search of help — Denver Broncos quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
“I am told the Broncos also had inquiries about quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, including from the Saints who just lost Jameis Winston for the season and had Teddy go 5-0 filling in for Drew Brees a couple years ago,” Pelissero reported from AT&T Stadium before the Broncos kicked off with the Dallas Cowboys. Pelissero added that Denver never seriously considered trading away Bridgewater while trailing the 5-2 Las Vegas Raiders in the crowded AFC West and eyeing a playoff berth.
And, he observed, it’s a good thing they didn’t part ways with Bridgewater once his backup Drew Lock entered league COVID-19 protocols this weekend. While those talks at the trade deadline were unsuccessful for New Orleans, it makes sense for them to have explored all options before naming Trevor Siemian this week’s starter. And Denver had signaled that they were open for (some) business after shipping out franchise icon Von Miller.
Maybe the Los Angeles Rams’ offer for Miller was one Broncos general manager George Paton couldn’t refuse; if that’s the case, the Saints were right to not make a similar bid for Bridgewater.
So the Saints will be working with what they have. They’re starting another ex-Bronco under center on Sunday and could have really used his help if he were available at the right price. But he’s staying out west, and the Saints are putting a lot of faith in Siemian. Maybe he can experience similar success to what Bridgewater found in New Orleans not too long ago.
