NFC North Rival is Making a Move for Teddy Two Gloves
K. Joudry
|
More than a few Vikings fans have wondered if things would have gone differently had Teddy Bridgewater – a.k.a. Teddy Two Gloves – didn’t succumb to a brutal injury prior to the 2016 season.
Mike Zimmer believed that the 1st-round QB would be his signal caller for his whole career in Minnesota. The injury, though, undermined that possibility. Instead, Bridgewater has become a journeyman, someone who excels as a QB2 or as a stopgap solution for various franchises. Most recently, he played in Miami, but he has also had stops in New Orleans, Carolina, and Denver.
The latest news suggests that Bridgewater may add another team to the list: the NFC North rival Detroit Lions, a suddenly competent bunch.
Is Teddy Two Gloves Returning to the NFC North?
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN has the word, indicating that the Lions have made “a strong contract offer.” Shortly thereafter, Fowler explains that the QB is still making up his mind: “Bridgewater hasn’t decided where he’s playing as he takes his time this offseason. Bridgewater can reunite w/ Dan Campbell from their New Orleans days.”
Jared Goff is the QB1 and he’s unlikely to hand over the job. OC Ben Johnson (who remained in Detroit) did a marvellous job of putting his QB in a position to succeed. Goff led his squad to a 9-8 record behind his 65.1 completion percentage, 4438 passing yards, 29 TDs, and 7 INTs.
Bridgewater is unlikely to offer that kind of production.
The plan, it’s likely safe to assume, is to raise the play at backup QB. If Goff were to go down with injury, Bridgewater could come in and keep the ship afloat. His teammates love him and he’s a strong leader. The QB has always been very charming, allowing him to thrive in the QB2/stopgap role.
Depending on who you ask, the Lions are the favorites to snag the division. When’s the last time they won the division? Back in 1993.
On a recent episode of Notes from the North, Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit discussed how the Lions are navigating legitimate expectations for the first time in a long time. It’s a worthwhile point. Sometimes, needing to live up to the outside pressure can be daunting to a team.
Meanwhile, the Vikings are sorting through their own QB situation. Somehow, the trade rumors are still circulating for Kirk Cousins even though the team’s owner and head coach have confirmed their desire to see him thrive in Minnesota in 2023 (which is to say nothing of the no-trade clause and massive dead money hit for a trade). There are rumors aplenty that Hendon Hooker could be a Minnesota Viking as early as April 27th and there have even been a sprinkling of Lamar Jackson theories.
A QB situation, indeed.
Last season, Bridgewater carried a $6.5 million cap hit. The Fowler tweet suggests Detroit made a reasonably robust offer, so perhaps the deal would come in at a similar number. Detroit is working with a touch less than $23 million in cap space.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
You must be logged in to post a comment.