Packers: Does Teddy Bridgewater make sense in free agency?
In search of a backup quarterback, could the Green Bay Packers turn to Teddy Bridgewater?
The Green Bay Packers have a problem not many would expect to have when you have arguably the best quarterback in the NFL. They are in dire need of a backup quarterback.
When Aaron Rodgers went down, the organization called upon their three-year project, Brett Hundley.
That experience, to put it simply, failed, as Hundley would lead the Packers to a mediocre 7-9 record. The organization hoped Hundley would be the successor to Rodgers when he retired, but he is not the answer.
Rodgers is 34 years old, and is closer to retirement than one would think. Yes, Tom Brady is starting his eighth Super Bowl at the age of 40.
Age has been a factor for the past few seasons for Brady, however. For Rodgers, he may not be able to play until 40. It would be best for the Packers to start looking for their successor to Rodgers now.
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There are a trio of free agent quarterbacks in Minnesota that raise a few eyebrows.
Case Keenum, Sam Bradford and Teddy Bridgewater have all had some recent success in the Twin Cities. The Vikings will re-sign at least one of those quarterbacks. Which one (or two) they will choose is hard to predict, however, you can’t look past the season Keenum had.
If the Vikings go with Keenum, that leaves Bradford and Bridgewater looking for a job. Bradford is 30 years old and had a long injury history. By the time Rodgers retires, Bradford could too.
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The third option for the Packers is Louisville alum Bridgewater. He hasn’t started a game since the 2015 season after he tore his ACL and dislocated his knee is August 2016. He led the Vikings to an 11-5 record and the NFC North title in 2015.
It would be up to Bridgewater if we would want to play second fiddle to Rodgers for the next couple of seasons. However, he would be able to learn from the best in the business.
The situation would be very similar to Brett Favre/Rodgers over 10 years ago. Rodgers had to wait three seasons to be the guy in Green Bay. He had to sit and wait until Favre was done, but good things happen when you wait.
Because Rodgers waited, he was able to become a Super Bowl champion, a two-time NFL MVP, and a shoe-in for the Hall of Fame.
Does Bridgewater really want to wait though? He has already shown what he is capable of. He has a career 17-11 record. His 28 touchdowns with 22 interceptions are not necessarily great numbers, but learning under Rodgers could change all of that.
Bridgewater certainly resembles the quarterback of the future too. The NFL, as a whole, is shying away from the traditional pocket passer and transitioning into more dual-threat styles signal callers. He can hurt you through the air and on the ground.
Next: Packers: 12 players that need to go this offseason
“We’re not going to leave any stone unturned in every avenue of player acquisition,” new Packers GM Brian Gutekunst said earlier this month.
Does that include signing the quarterback of the future? Only time will tell.