Teddy Bridgewater expected to become free agent

[gmf1369]

After months of speculation over whether Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's rookie deal would toll -- keeping him under contract for another season in Minneapolis -- it appears we're closer to an answer.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that Bridgewater is expected to become a free agent, as Minnesota is not planning to assert that their 2014 first-round pick's four-year deal tolls. Rapoport added that the parties involved are in agreement regarding the QB's contract status.

While Bridgewater is expected to be a free agent, no official decision has been made yet, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy confirmed to NFL.com.

Thus continues the exodus out of Minnesota for the second of three quarterbacks. Case Keenum reportedly will not receive the franchise tag, and now Bridgewater will not be forced to return for a fifth season under his existing contract. Sam Bradford is also expected to become a free agent.

Minnesota might move on from all three QBs altogether in 2018. The latest rumor du jour is that the Vikings are instead serious about pursuing top free-agent talent Kirk Cousins, who's likely to garner top dollar on the market come March 14.

How Bridgewater will be assessed in free agency will be one of the period's great wonders. The 25-year-old quarterback is coming off two football-less seasons, for the most part, after suffering a devastating knee injury in the 2016 preseason. When healthy, Teddy was an accurate thrower (64.7 career comp. pct.) with great leadership skills; he led Minnesota to a division title in his second year as a pro. But there remains great risk in giving Bridgewater a big deal, given his injury history.

All of this will be taken into consideration as the ides of March approach, and the NFL's QB carousel continues.

 

[NickSINYC]

I rarely have the energy to post anymore but if it comes down to Cousins or Bridgewater in my mind the choice is clear Cousins should be on the street looking for another job. I would choose almost anyone else over Cousins

 

[Gramoah]

With the Vikings allowing their top three QBs to hit free agency, number four is on the practice squad, it would seem to the casual observer that they are very confident that they are going to be able to lure Cousins away from the Jets. They could still sign any of them before start of season if they fail to land Cousins by offering more than they were offered in free agency. The ball is still in their court. If they do sign Cousins and the Jets go after one of the three I personally would rather get Keenum over Bridgewater. Keenum hasn't been Idle for a long period, he's a proven winner, and doesn't have the injury history that comes with Bridgewater.

 

[AFA2017]

With the Vikings allowing their top three QBs to hit free agency, number four is on the practice squad, it would seem to the casual observer that they are very confident that they are going to be able to lure Cousins away from the Jets. They could still sign any of them before start of season if they fail to land Cousins by offering more than they were offered in free agency. The ball is still in their court. If they do sign Cousins and the Jets go after one of the three I personally would rather get Keenum over Bridgewater. Keenum hasn't been Idle for a long period, he's a proven winner, and doesn't have the injury history that comes with Bridgewater.

I have a feeling we will be all in on Keenum, a Houston Texan product and not Cousins.

 

[Gramoah]

I have a feeling we will be all in on Keenum, a Houston Texan product and not Cousins.

Actually, I'm good with that. In truth I think Keenum is better than Cousins over all. Cousins struggles with the big game and everyone knows it. Keenum, on the other hand, plays in those games with confidence. He will also cost us quite a bit less leaving more money for what I call the supporting cast and the defense where we need corners and a true pass rusher.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Actually, I'm good with that. In truth I think Keenum is better than Cousins over all. Cousins struggles with the big game and everyone knows it. Keenum, on the other hand, plays in those games with confidence. He will also cost us quite a bit less leaving more money for what I call the supporting cast and the defense where we need corners and a true pass rusher.

Playing inside with a much better team is way easier than playing in NY with a much lesser team. Cousins will cost way more, but he had little to no weapons this year and still threw for over 4000 yards. Keenum had a Fitzpatrick type of year. I think last year was a once in a career year for Keenum.

 

[Gramoah]

Playing inside with a much better team is way easier than playing in NY with a much lesser team. Cousins will cost way more, but he had little to no weapons this year and still threw for over 4000 yards. Keenum had a Fitzpatrick type of year. I think last year was a once in a career year for Keenum.

I think Cousins will enjoy the indoor atmosphere of the home games if he goes there and he will have a better supporting cast than he had in Washington but I'd still pick Keenum over Bridgewater. if we are going to pick up an ex Viking QB.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Is Keenum better than McCown??

 

[LIJETFAN]

Keenan is hard to figure out. Last year, he was terrific. Prior years, not so much. He has talent. Throws a nice ball, pretty good arm, good mobility. Made plays in the clutch last year. Sometimes it takes a few years for these players to develop. Keenan could be one of those guys.

Is Keenam better than McCown - good question. They are similar players.

If Cousins winds up in Minnesota, I'm not sure what the plan is. I just don't know how far Keenam or Bridgewater can take this team. I think the same thing about Cousins for that matter. They are all pretty good players that can play in the NFL and be quality starters in my opinion. The same may be true for any of these QBs coming out. They're all unknowns. This is a tough one for Mac, but it's why he gets paid. He needs to figure it out and make the right call.

In any case, I think the Jets should resign McCown. He's a great locker room guy and would be a terrific mentor for a young QB, and a great backup to one of these other veterans.

 

[gmf1369]

Keenum is a system QB, same system that McCown ran for us last year but we don't have that system in place this upcoming system or do we? I think Bates will run a similar system but his system may not be a Keenum friendly system, it may be more suited for Bridgewater but Teddy is a gamble more so... He could be the come back player of the decade, but are we the team to take that chance?

Bridgewater to me is a Geno Smith type quarterback with a slightly better understanding of playing the position... Geno Smith wasn't bad but he was immature and at times reluctant to do what was necessary... Bridgewater on the other hand was better groomed for the NFL and his readiness may be a step up over Geno but that injury he is coming off scares the day lights out of me...

 

[Gramoah]

Keenum is a system QB, same system that McCown ran for us last year but we don't have that system in place this upcoming system or do we? I think Bates will run a similar system but his system may not be a Keenum friendly system, it may be more suited for Bridgewater but Teddy is a gamble more so... He could be the come back player of the decade, but are we the team to take that chance?

Bridgewater to me is a Geno Smith type quarterback with a slightly better understanding of playing the position... Geno Smith wasn't bad but he was immature and at times reluctant to do what was necessary... Bridgewater on the other hand was better groomed for the NFL and his readiness may be a step up over Geno but that injury he is coming off scares the day lights out of me...

Bridgewater's injury, and the severity of it, is my primary reason for preferring Keenum over him. And to answer Tebow's question in the same post, is he better than McCown ? I can only say that he is less injury prone and can McCown have another stellar year ? One thing I am pretty sure of and that is that we have to get a QB from free agency of at least their caliber for our drafted QB to sit and learn behind. I am convinced that none of this years QB draft prospects are starters. They all have drawbacks. I feel it in my old bones. We must start a vet QB.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Bridgewater's injury, and the severity of it, is my primary reason for preferring Keenum over him. And to answer Tebow's question in the same post, is he better than McCown ? I can only say that he is less injury prone and can McCown have another stellar year ? One thing I am pretty sure of and that is that we have to get a QB from free agency of at least their caliber for our drafted QB to sit and learn behind. I am convinced that none of this years QB draft prospects are starters. They all have drawbacks. I feel it in my old bones. We must start a vet QB.

I don't know if McCown can have another decent year or stay healthy, but why get Keenum over McCown?? I'm almost positive he will be just like Fitz was in his second year here. Rather go with 3 rookies.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

I'm going to blow everyone's mind...

I would take Baker Mayfield before I would pay a Case Fuckin' Fitzpatrick a dime!!

 

[beresford]

Keenum's HC said that he played with a lucky horseshoe in his pocket, that is why the Vikings aren't all-in on him. At the Jets he will become a turnover machine.

 

[McJet]

If it's not Cousins, Sign Bridgewater to a two year prove it deal.He shouldn't be against it, if he does prove it and stays healthy for two years he'll be in the same position as Cousins is right now. Also sign McCown,let them fight it out. Starter/back up. Then with the 6th pick take Mayfield/Rosen. Let them sit and learn. If Bridgewater is the real deal and Rosen/Mayfield are the goods you now have trading capitol later on. If Mayfield/Rosen are gone, Lamar Jackson/Mason Rudolph but in the second round,if they last. Bryce Petty should've been cut already, give Hackenberg this offseason and training camp, if he still can't perform, adios.

 

[Old#15]

If it's not Cousins, Sign Bridgewater to a two year prove it deal.He shouldn't be against it, if he does prove it and stays healthy for two years he'll be in the same position as Cousins is right now. Also sign McCown,let them fight it out. Starter/back up. Then with the 6th pick take Mayfield/Rosen. Let them sit and learn. If Bridgewater is the real deal and Rosen/Mayfield are the goods you now have trading capitol later on. If Mayfield/Rosen are gone, Lamar Jackson/Mason Rudolph but in the second round,if they last. Bryce Petty should've been cut already, give Hackenberg this offseason and training camp, if he still can't perform, adios.

Sounds like a reasonable fall-back plan to me, especially since you are suggesting that we select an early round QB.

 

[AFA2017]

Keenum played good for a very good team. Can Keenum do that for an below average team like the Jets? I think not! I'm not sure about Bridgewater and I don't want Bradford.

 

[mydogisajetsfan]

I'd sign Bridgewater or Keenum or McCarran if we lose out on Cousins. Put him/them behind...

RT - Shell
RG - Norwell
C - Ragnow
LG - Isaiah Wynn
LT - Beachum
WR - Paul Richardson
WR - Enunwa
RB - Powell
RB - Ronald Jones
TE - ASJ/Leggett

In this scenario, Mac trades down from #6 and gets a mid-round first, 2018 second and a 2019 second. Add EJ Gaines (CB), Trent Murphy (OLB), and Dontari Poe (NT) in free agency and Marcus Davenport in round 1, Ronald Jones, Isaiah Wynn and Frank Ragnow in round 2 and Luke Falk in round 3 and that's a pretty good team for ANY QB to play on.

 

[Gramoah]

I'm going to blow everyone's mind...

I would take Baker Mayfield before I would pay a Case Fuckin' Fitzpatrick a dime!!

I admire you're enthusiasm my friend. It's refreshing to see you go all out. The problem here is, and when you think about it I believe that you will agree, is that we need to sign a vet to tutor our new young QB. I know that some think that there are a couple of these guys that could come right in and start. They may be right. I don't think so. They all have drawbacks that need to be sorted out so if we don't come away with Cousins we have to have someone reasonably skilled to start. Bridgewater before he got hurt was playing very well but his injury was very bad and I have concerns about that. Keenum can be a turnover machine, but he's healthy and experienced. McCown is skilled and smart but injury prone. McCarron might not be available because other teams have shown interest. It's a tough situation. We absolutely have to draft a QB this time even with a vet starter. But who ??

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

I admire you're enthusiasm my friend. It's refreshing to see you go all out. The problem here is, and when you think about it I believe that you will agree, is that we need to sign a vet to tutor our new young QB. I know that some think that there are a couple of these guys that could come right in and start. They may be right. I don't think so. They all have drawbacks that need to be sorted out so if we don't come away with Cousins we have to have someone reasonably skilled to start. Bridgewater before he got hurt was playing very well but his injury was very bad and I have concerns about that. Keenum can be a turnover machine, but he's healthy and experienced. McCown is skilled and smart but injury prone. McCarron might not be available because other teams have shown interest. It's a tough situation. We absolutely have to draft a QB this time even with a vet starter. But who ??

I agree we need a vet, but we overpaid for Fitz and his twin will get even more. For backup money, I would take Keenum.