Success of Teddy Bridgewater could fix pass rushing woes

If the New York Jets get lucky and if certain factors are met, they can easily trade Teddy Bridgewater if he returns to form this offseason in favor of addressing a major area of need with their pass rush.

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater remains a wildcard at this point in time for the New York Jets since it has yet to be revealed where he’s at from rehabbing his severe knee injury. So far during organized team activities and mandatory minicamp, he’s been impressing the coaching staff, players around him, and of course, potential new teams. While it’s early to think he’s made a successful comeback, remember, what he’s done so far has been in t-shirts and shorts, not in pads like it will be in training camp come late July.

It’s no secret that a lot of general managers from across the NFL are keeping an eye on Bridgewater and his situation with the Jets. If Bridgewater returns to form and plays lights out football all throughout training camp and preseason action, the Jets will have an interesting decision to make on their hands.

Could they potentially consider trading Bridgewater in order to bolster an area of need on the roster? Well, it all depends on the development of rookie quarterback Sam Darnold from here on out. If Darnold is playing extremely well and is executing the Jets offensive playbook flawlessly, it’s possible they would start him come Week 1 of the regular season.

More from The Jet Press

• NY Jets should target TE Hunter Henry in free agency
• NY Jets: Why the team should target cornerback Shaquill Griffin
• NY Jets reportedly non-tendering linebacker Harvey Langi
• NY Jets: Why the team should not cut Jamison Crowder
• NY Jets should try to sign Kenny Golladay in free agency

Ideally, in that situation, it would make sense to trade Bridgewater to a team that is looking for a healthy quarterback with starting and playoff experience under center. The Jets still have a high-quality backup in Josh McCown to be there for Darnold every step of the way.

Of course, it’s hard to predict what will ultimately transpire but if the above event does happen, general manager Mike Maccagnan can trade Bridgewater for a pass rusher that would be expected to be at a starter level or at the very least, the future potential to deliver big results in that area.

For the past few years now, the overall pass rush of the Jets has been abysmal. They haven’t been able to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks and are pretty low when it comes to sacks. If Maccagnan is able to trade Bridgewater for a pass rushing specialist, whether it’s a very good defensive end or linebacker, it could finally help address an area on the roster that the Jets haven’t answered well this offseason.

Overall, Bridgewater, if he’s healthy, executing, and proving he’s still got that magic to be a great starting quarterback again, he’ll undoubtedly be on borrowed time on the Jets. If that happens, Maccagnan’s phone will likely be ringing like there is no tomorrow as to which he can then grab a top defensive player or two to continue rebuilding the right way. It’s all about fixing that pass rush one piece at a time until it becomes a strength again.