Post by thebigragu on Aug 21, 2018 7:37:47 GMT -5
7 potential trade destinations
With Sam Darnold looking more and more like the Jets' Week 1 starting quarterback each day, trade speculation around Teddy Bridgewater is heating up. General manager Mike Maccagnan has left the door open to making a move, too. But if the Jets try to move Bridgewater, where exactly could he end up?
Assuming he decides to trade Bridgewater, Maccagnan's job will be identifying those potential fits, then trying to exploit them the best he can to maximize the Jets' return.
Luckily for the Jets, Bridgewater is on a relatively favorable one-year deal. They've paid Bridgewater just $1 million to this point – half in the form of a signing bonus, the other half in a workout bonus. Bridgewater is owed $5 million for the rest of the season. So whoever picks him up won't have to pay a fortune and, on the flip side, the Jets could feasibly pick up a valuable draft pick for a relatively minimal price tag
With that said, here are some teams we could see landing Bridgewater – with a breakdown of why a potential deal would and wouldn't make sense for each team.
Carolina Panthers
Current starter: Cam Newton
Backup QBs: Garrett Gilbert, Taylor Heinicke
The Panthers have high hopes entering 2018 after putting together an 11-5 record last season and reaching the playoffs as a wild-card team.
Why it makes sense: The Panthers don't really have much of an insurance policy behind Newton right now. If he goes down, what the Panthers hope will be a productive season could fall apart pretty quickly. Plus, Bridgewater is familiar with offensive coordinator Norv Turner after working with him in Minnesoata.
Why it doesn't: Newton isn't invincible, but he's proven to be relatively durable for a run-heavy quarterback. As such, dishing out a draft pick for a backup may not be all that appealing to the Panthers; they may be more inclined to just roll the dice and bet on Newton staying healthy again this year.
Green Bay Packers
Current starter: Aaron Rodgers
Backup QBs: Brett Hundley, DeShone Kizer, Tim Boyle
The Packers finished 7-9 last season after Rodgers went down with an injury in Week 6. Hundley filled in and the Packers went 3-5 until Rodgers returned in Week 15.
Why it makes sense: The Packers found out just last year what life is like when Rodgers gets injured – and it wasn't pretty. Having a guy like Bridgewater to take over could be enough to keep the ship afloat and salvage a playoff berth if that happens again this season.
Why it doesn't: Maybe the Packers think last season's experience has served Hundley well enough that he'll be better prepared the next time his number is called.
Houston Texans
Current starter: Deshaun Watson
Backup QBs: Brandon Weeden, Joe Webb III
Houston finished tied for last in the AFC South with a 4-12 record last season after Watson tore his ACL at the beginning of November.
Why it makes sense: The Texans' defense is stacked with studs like J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, but that won't last forever. Houston needs to take advantage of its window while it still can, so having Bridgewater as an option in case Watson isn't quite ready to return or picks up another injury could help make the offense good enough to make a run.
Why it doesn't: The Texans were bad last year. Yes, they were impressive when Watson was in there, but they were terrible the rest of the time. Unless the Texans are truly convinced they're going to turn things around in a big way this season, it may not be worth spending a draft pick or other assets to get Bridgewater.
Los Angeles Chargers
Current starter: Philip Rivers
Backup QBs: Cardale Jones, Geno Smith, Nic Shimonek
The Chargers missed out on a wild-card berth because of the tiebreaker after going 9-7 last season, but enter this season as the AFC West favorites.
Why it makes sense: Jets fans know well what Smith does – or doesn't – offer a team and the rest of those backups don't exactly inspire confidence, either. The Chargers have a tremendous defense that allowed just 17 points per game last year. That unit could probably win some games and spearhead a decent run with even an average offense, which Bridgewater should be able to provide if anything happened to Rivers.
Why it doesn't: Rivers literally has not missed a game since the start of the 2006 season, so trading away assets to purchase an insurance policy on him seems frivolous.
Los Angeles Rams
Current starter: Jared Goff
Backup QBs: Sean Mannion, Brandon Allen, Luis Perez
Goff was terrific in his rookie season last year, leading the Rams to an NFC West title and an 11-5 record
Why it makes sense: Just look at those backup quarterbacks. Mannion doesn't exactly inspire confidence. At this point, the Rams are absolutely finished if Goff is unable to go. Given that the Rams have gone all in with other moves to try to win right now, it seems incredibly risky to go into the season without a legitimate backup quarterback option.
Why it doesn't: The Rams don't have many draft picks left after making some trades to bolster the current roster. They've already gotten rid of their second- and seventh-round picks. With that in mind, the Rams may just want to hold onto their other picks at this point.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current starter: Jameis Winston
Backup QBs: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, Austin Allen
The Bucs finished at the bottom of the NFC South last season after posting a 5-11 record behind Winston.
Why it makes sense: Winston is suspended for the first three games of this season, so at the very least the Bucs could probably use an early season fill-in. Plus, Winston hasn't exactly lit the NFL on fire during the start of his career. Bridgewater could feasibly use those opening few weeks as an audition to win this job outright, too – especially with both head coach Dirk Koetter and GM Jason Licht on the hot seat and looking to pick up extra wins whenever possible.
Why it doesn't: Odds are, Tampa isn't going to be in the Super Bowl mix this season – at this point, they still seem pretty far away from contending. And after such a rough 2017, ownership may not be inclined to give up valuable future assets just to win a few extra games and, in all likelihood, not really go anywhere this season.
Tennessee Titans
Current starter: Marcus Mariota
Backup QBs: Blaine Gabbert, Luke Falk
The Titans reached the divisional playoffs after securing a wild-card berth with a 9-7 record last season.
Why it makes sense: The Titans have some nice pieces on both sides of the ball and should contend for a playoff berth again this year. But if Mariota gets injured, that could change in a hurry. Bridgewater isn't quite as dangerous a runner as Mariota, but both are mobile guys, so the transition between the two probably wouldn't be all that jarring if Mariota were to pick up an injury.
Why it doesn't: Gabbert may not be the best NFL quarterback, but he is a guy with some starting experience and just signed a two-year deal with the Titans. They may well be comfortable with him as the backup at this point.
There's one common thread that runs through most of these potential trade partners – Bridgewater's value comes as a replacement for the current star starter, not as "the guy" right out of the gate. For the most part, just about every NFL team has either a reliable starting QB, a newly signed acquisition or a young guy ready to take the reigns right now.
With that in mind, teams may not be all that eager to go after Bridgewater at the moment. Sure, it's nice to have an insurance policy, but it's not necessarily required.
So, it could benefit the Jets to hang onto Bridgewater until someone's starter picks up an injury. Even if it takes a few weeks into the season, the desperation that comes from a potential contender losing its QB would likely drive up Bridgewater's value; instead of being viewed as an backup, he'd be a much-needed piece to patch a gaping hole. The Jets may be able to get a bit more back for Bridgewater in that scenario
With Sam Darnold looking more and more like the Jets' Week 1 starting quarterback each day, trade speculation around Teddy Bridgewater is heating up. General manager Mike Maccagnan has left the door open to making a move, too. But if the Jets try to move Bridgewater, where exactly could he end up?
Assuming he decides to trade Bridgewater, Maccagnan's job will be identifying those potential fits, then trying to exploit them the best he can to maximize the Jets' return.
Luckily for the Jets, Bridgewater is on a relatively favorable one-year deal. They've paid Bridgewater just $1 million to this point – half in the form of a signing bonus, the other half in a workout bonus. Bridgewater is owed $5 million for the rest of the season. So whoever picks him up won't have to pay a fortune and, on the flip side, the Jets could feasibly pick up a valuable draft pick for a relatively minimal price tag
With that said, here are some teams we could see landing Bridgewater – with a breakdown of why a potential deal would and wouldn't make sense for each team.
Carolina Panthers
Current starter: Cam Newton
Backup QBs: Garrett Gilbert, Taylor Heinicke
The Panthers have high hopes entering 2018 after putting together an 11-5 record last season and reaching the playoffs as a wild-card team.
Why it makes sense: The Panthers don't really have much of an insurance policy behind Newton right now. If he goes down, what the Panthers hope will be a productive season could fall apart pretty quickly. Plus, Bridgewater is familiar with offensive coordinator Norv Turner after working with him in Minnesoata.
Why it doesn't: Newton isn't invincible, but he's proven to be relatively durable for a run-heavy quarterback. As such, dishing out a draft pick for a backup may not be all that appealing to the Panthers; they may be more inclined to just roll the dice and bet on Newton staying healthy again this year.
Green Bay Packers
Current starter: Aaron Rodgers
Backup QBs: Brett Hundley, DeShone Kizer, Tim Boyle
The Packers finished 7-9 last season after Rodgers went down with an injury in Week 6. Hundley filled in and the Packers went 3-5 until Rodgers returned in Week 15.
Why it makes sense: The Packers found out just last year what life is like when Rodgers gets injured – and it wasn't pretty. Having a guy like Bridgewater to take over could be enough to keep the ship afloat and salvage a playoff berth if that happens again this season.
Why it doesn't: Maybe the Packers think last season's experience has served Hundley well enough that he'll be better prepared the next time his number is called.
Houston Texans
Current starter: Deshaun Watson
Backup QBs: Brandon Weeden, Joe Webb III
Houston finished tied for last in the AFC South with a 4-12 record last season after Watson tore his ACL at the beginning of November.
Why it makes sense: The Texans' defense is stacked with studs like J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney, but that won't last forever. Houston needs to take advantage of its window while it still can, so having Bridgewater as an option in case Watson isn't quite ready to return or picks up another injury could help make the offense good enough to make a run.
Why it doesn't: The Texans were bad last year. Yes, they were impressive when Watson was in there, but they were terrible the rest of the time. Unless the Texans are truly convinced they're going to turn things around in a big way this season, it may not be worth spending a draft pick or other assets to get Bridgewater.
Los Angeles Chargers
Current starter: Philip Rivers
Backup QBs: Cardale Jones, Geno Smith, Nic Shimonek
The Chargers missed out on a wild-card berth because of the tiebreaker after going 9-7 last season, but enter this season as the AFC West favorites.
Why it makes sense: Jets fans know well what Smith does – or doesn't – offer a team and the rest of those backups don't exactly inspire confidence, either. The Chargers have a tremendous defense that allowed just 17 points per game last year. That unit could probably win some games and spearhead a decent run with even an average offense, which Bridgewater should be able to provide if anything happened to Rivers.
Why it doesn't: Rivers literally has not missed a game since the start of the 2006 season, so trading away assets to purchase an insurance policy on him seems frivolous.
Los Angeles Rams
Current starter: Jared Goff
Backup QBs: Sean Mannion, Brandon Allen, Luis Perez
Goff was terrific in his rookie season last year, leading the Rams to an NFC West title and an 11-5 record
Why it makes sense: Just look at those backup quarterbacks. Mannion doesn't exactly inspire confidence. At this point, the Rams are absolutely finished if Goff is unable to go. Given that the Rams have gone all in with other moves to try to win right now, it seems incredibly risky to go into the season without a legitimate backup quarterback option.
Why it doesn't: The Rams don't have many draft picks left after making some trades to bolster the current roster. They've already gotten rid of their second- and seventh-round picks. With that in mind, the Rams may just want to hold onto their other picks at this point.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Current starter: Jameis Winston
Backup QBs: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, Austin Allen
The Bucs finished at the bottom of the NFC South last season after posting a 5-11 record behind Winston.
Why it makes sense: Winston is suspended for the first three games of this season, so at the very least the Bucs could probably use an early season fill-in. Plus, Winston hasn't exactly lit the NFL on fire during the start of his career. Bridgewater could feasibly use those opening few weeks as an audition to win this job outright, too – especially with both head coach Dirk Koetter and GM Jason Licht on the hot seat and looking to pick up extra wins whenever possible.
Why it doesn't: Odds are, Tampa isn't going to be in the Super Bowl mix this season – at this point, they still seem pretty far away from contending. And after such a rough 2017, ownership may not be inclined to give up valuable future assets just to win a few extra games and, in all likelihood, not really go anywhere this season.
Tennessee Titans
Current starter: Marcus Mariota
Backup QBs: Blaine Gabbert, Luke Falk
The Titans reached the divisional playoffs after securing a wild-card berth with a 9-7 record last season.
Why it makes sense: The Titans have some nice pieces on both sides of the ball and should contend for a playoff berth again this year. But if Mariota gets injured, that could change in a hurry. Bridgewater isn't quite as dangerous a runner as Mariota, but both are mobile guys, so the transition between the two probably wouldn't be all that jarring if Mariota were to pick up an injury.
Why it doesn't: Gabbert may not be the best NFL quarterback, but he is a guy with some starting experience and just signed a two-year deal with the Titans. They may well be comfortable with him as the backup at this point.
There's one common thread that runs through most of these potential trade partners – Bridgewater's value comes as a replacement for the current star starter, not as "the guy" right out of the gate. For the most part, just about every NFL team has either a reliable starting QB, a newly signed acquisition or a young guy ready to take the reigns right now.
With that in mind, teams may not be all that eager to go after Bridgewater at the moment. Sure, it's nice to have an insurance policy, but it's not necessarily required.
So, it could benefit the Jets to hang onto Bridgewater until someone's starter picks up an injury. Even if it takes a few weeks into the season, the desperation that comes from a potential contender losing its QB would likely drive up Bridgewater's value; instead of being viewed as an backup, he'd be a much-needed piece to patch a gaping hole. The Jets may be able to get a bit more back for Bridgewater in that scenario
