Jets Free Agency: Initial grade and analysis of Teddy Bridgewater

The New York Jets made one of the more surprising moves of the day on Tuesday when they signed former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to a one-year deal.

Two quarterbacks are better than one right? At least the New York Jets hope that optimistic spin on the classic proverb will prove true as the team went ahead and signed both Josh McCown and Teddy Bridgewater to one-year deals following their failure to recruit Kirk Cousins.

Bridgewater is no doubt an intriguing option. At just 25-years old, the former Vikings signal-caller showed flashes of a franchise player before suffering a devastating knee injury that essentially cost him two years of his career.

Before tearing his ACL and dislocating his knee joint, Bridgewater played the part of a competent, accurate quarterback who possessed incredible leadership skills and displayed potential of being even more. The question remains, will he ever be the same player again?

Contract details

Bridgewater and the Jets agreed to a one-year deal with a base salary speculated to be around $5 million with additional added incentives. This number seems startlingly low but it just goes to show the risk associated with a player like Bridgewater.

National reaction

Former Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater plans to sign a one-year contract with the New York Jets when the new league year officially begins Wednesday, per @mortreport and @diannaESPN.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 14, 2018

New Jets QB Teddy Bridgewater’s ability to see the field and process makes him, like Josh McCown, a really good fit for OC Jeremy Bates. Team winds up with a couple high character guys in that room, and a good environment for a rookie to walk in to.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 14, 2018

Today's back page: Jets move quickly with Teddy Bridgewater, Josh McCown after Cousins snub, but many questions remain https://t.co/INwoPcCegY pic.twitter.com/BmohH7kAcZ

— NY Daily News Sports (@NYDNSports) March 14, 2018

Grade

This is certainly a questionable and unforeseen signing. After the team’s lack of success signing  Cousins it appeared very likely that the Jets would re-sign the aforementioned McCown and draft a rookie in April to complete the idealistic mentor/future dynamic. The signing of Bridgewater may only prove to complicate matters.

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At the same time, it’s hard to disagree with the price. If reports are correct, signing the former Pro Bowl quarterback for around $5 million is an absolute bargain of a deal. This salary would be comparable to the likes of Chase Daniel and Matt Schaub, albeit attached to a quarterback with a significantly higher upside.

In Bridgewater, the Jets get another high-character leader to go along with McCown which should make for a very welcoming locker room for whatever rookie the team selects to step into.

That last part is a must.

In no way does the signing of Bridgewater change the way the Jets should approach the upcoming draft. It would be irresponsible of the team to put any long-term (or short-term for that matter) faith into either of their newest signees. They should be looked at as mentor options who bring leadership and stability to the quarterback position.

At the very least, Bridgewater is a low-risk, high-upside player on a dirt cheap contract.

And you can’t find that every day in free agency.

Final Grade: B