New Orleans Saints free agent quarrterback Teddy Bridgewater is meeting with the Miami Dolphins, per multiple reports. This is something of a shock after previous reporting expected Bridgewater to agree to terms with the Saints. After Tyrod Taylor signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, that sent the Dolphins scurrying to find a new passer, intensifying their pursuit of Bridgewater.
Now we have a better idea of what the Saints have in store for Bridgewater. Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reported that the Saints expected to sign Bridgewater for around $7 million per year in base salary. That’s fine pay for a backup quarterback, much less someone they envision as their future centerpiece.
The trouble is that is hardly an insurmountable value for Miami. The Dolphins can easily offer more than $7 million per year for Bridgewater on top of the opportunity to start right away. He reportedly rebuffed them once already, and to be clear, Miami offers a very perilous position for Bridgewater. They have a weak offensive line and few sure things at the skills positions group, to pair with a first-year coaching staff. And he would make for an easy scapegoat if the Dolphins end up tanking the 2019 season.
Still, Bridgewater has a responsibility to look out for himself. He’s already behind the eight ball after losing three years of his young career to a catastrophic knee injury. If the Dolphins offer him a bigger pay day, it would be completely understandable for him to accept it.
Stay tuned for updates.
