The Jets signing Teddy Bridgewater creates a potential match made in football heaven.
The Jets need to add a quarterback, some athleticism and some exciting star power to their offense. Bridgewater is that potential firecracker who is thirsty to return to the field, capture the hearts of the world’s largest media market and lift the Jets back into the New York football limelight.
He’s eager to prove that he can still get busy and get a franchise moving in a winning direction with the skills that made him a Pro Bowl quarterback after two seasons in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings.
The Jets are due a break and if this pans out, Gang Green and head coach Todd Bowles could be one of the biggest winners of this free agent frenzy.
Rather than break the bank on Kirk Cousins, a quarterback who has gaudy passing numbers but has never won anything, the Jets have decided to sign both current starter Josh McCown for $10 million and Bridgewater to one-year contracts worth $15 million. Both deals should be done by the end of the week.
When it was announced that they would sign both quarterbacks, there was mixed emotions among Jets fans.
Ralph Vacchiano on Twitter
Josh McCown’s one-year deal with the Jets is worth $10 million, according to a source. And yes, they still plan to sign Teddy Bridgewater, too.
Bridgewater wasnt among the hot QBs on the market, but as a wild card with unlimited upside and a proven track record of leadership and clutch ability, he was a chance worth taking for the price. The Jets now have two potential starters and a trailer load of cash to build an improved team around them, as well as a No. 6 pick in the NFL Draft to utilize on a QB if they feel strongly about the ones on the board.
Some folks dont understand why the Jets would even re-sign McCown for $10 million when the franchise is aware of the fact that hes mediocre at best. Another season with him under center is not going to help Bowles, who is on sticky ground, keep his job.
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Former Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater will sign 1-year deal with Jets tomorrow, per @AdamSchefter
The Jets have $100 million available, said FOX NFL analyst Chris Carter. How do you go out and improve your football team? Youve got to spend the money and youve got to spend it on guys that can play. I can see them signing Teddy Bridgewater, but I don’t know why they went out and signed Josh McCown.”
McCown was solid but unspectacular in 2017. And as a 38-year-old journeyman with a ceiling that doesnt go any higher, he wont be with the Jets much longer. He will probably be that veteran presence and insurance policy to help ease Bridgewaters transition back into the game after the Pro Bowl QB missed two seasons due to a gruesome, non-contact leg injury in 2016.
Most experts thought the Jets would go a bit harder to get Cousins. Minnesota won that financial scrap and signed the former Washington’s pigskin-slinger to a three-year deal with big guaranteed money, a reported $84 million.
Adam Schefter on Twitter
Kirk Cousins plans to sign a three-year, fully-guaranteed contract from the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday, sources tell ESPN.
Its a win-win for both sides as Cousins is entering his age-30 campaign and the NFC runner-ups from 2017 are favorites to make the Super Bowl with him at the helm. The West Coast offense is well-suited to his skill set and he has an upgraded arsenal of targets in Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Kyle Rudolph and Dalvin Cook.
If we are talking winners in this free agency so far, the Chiefs are also among them. Realizing they had hit the wall with Alex Smith, offensive guru and head coach Andy Reid anointed Patrick Mahomes as the new starting QB. Then they got rid of malcontent Marcus Peters, aging Derrick Johnson and Albert Wilson.
Arriving in Kansas City are Kendall Fuller, 25-year-old linebacker Anthony Hitchens and stretch-the-field receiver Sammy Watkins, who will open up even more opportunities for the speedy Tyreek Hill.
Cleveland is signing everybody they can and have already improved their team before a draft in which they own the No. 1 and No. 4 picks. If Hue Jackson and Co. screw it up this time, I dont know what to tell them.
The Browns have solidified the QB position with Tyrod Taylor. They have added Jarvis Landry to line up opposite of game-breaker Josh Gordon and they are expected to sign former San Francisco 49ers running back Carlos Hyde. They won 0 games last season. That shouldnt happen with this new offense and Todd Haley as OC. So thats a win for Cleveland.
Tyrod Taylor on Twitter
Jarvis Juice Landry on Twitter
Mood
The Jets could be big winners in this free agency too. If Bridgewater is healthy, his hunger and desire certainly wont be a problem . Last season, he had to sit and watch Sam Bradford and Case Keenum try to lead Minnesota to a Super Bowl. It had to hurt the 26 year old to see other guys leading a team that he helped transform into winners during his first two seasons as quarterback.
The Jets still have money to spend and moves to make before next season rolls around. But if Bridgewater wins the starting job and shakes off the rust quickly, the Jets could be one of the stars of this busy 2018 free agency madness.
