Predicting Teddy Bridgewater’s future in New Orleans

What is the future at quarterback for the New Orleans Saints in 2020 and beyond? Will it be Drew Brees? Will it be Teddy Bridgewater? Or will it instead be someone else?

As it currently stands, both Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Brees are only under contract for the 2019 season. Brees is entering his age 40 season. Bridgewater, on the other hand, only turns 27 years old in November. For reference, Drew Brees was 27 years old in 2006 when Brees first joined the New Orleans Saints after Hurricane Katrina.

Is it possibly a sign of the things to come in the future? Could Bridgewater be the long-term plan in New Orleans after Brees? Bleacher Report apparently things so, predicting Bridgewater re-signs with the team following the 2019 season.

Once a starter, Teddy Bridgewater’s career took an unfortunate turn after he suffered a torn ACL and dislocated kneecap in August 2016. Since then, he’s appeared in six games, which included a run with the first unit for last year’s regular-season finale.

Bridgewater chose to re-sign with the New Orleans Saints on a one-year deal instead of competing for a starting job elsewhere. He visited the Miami Dolphins—a team in his home state—but the 26-year-old prioritized development, per Luke Johnson of the Times-Picayune.

”This is an opportunity for me to grow, continue to learn and expand my mental capacity as a football player,” he said.

Bridgewater will sit behind Drew Brees, who’s going into his age-40 term on the last year of his deal. Assuming this season caps the 12-time Pro Bowler’s career, the backup should become the starter next campaign.

In that scenario—assuming he’s offered and signs a new multiyear deal—Bridgewater would take over an offense with two star playmakers: running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Michael Thomas. The Saints offensive line also features Ryan Ramczyk, a young and talented offensive tackle, and rookie second-rounder Erik McCoy, who will battle to start at center this offseason.

Bridgewater will have to prove he’s ready to take over for Brees with his preparation during training camp and performances through the preseason. If he’s solid throughout the summer, the Saints will have their next man up at quarterback.

Projection: Bridgewater re-signs with the Saints.

Typically after a future Hall of Fame quarterback retires, a team is forced to go into a bit of a lull. Going from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers is rare. More often than not there’s a Curtis Painter in between a Peyton Manning and an Andrew Luck. If the Saints could seamlessly transition from a retiring Brees to Bridgewater set to enter his prime, the Saints could remain a contender for the foreseeable future.