Gauging overall trade value of Teddy Bridgewater

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was superb in the preseason opener against the Atlanta Falcons. If his play continues to rise, so will his trade value to quarterback-needy teams.

It’s been a long road back for Teddy Bridgewater but he is finally back where he belongs; on the football field playing quarterback in real game action. Bridgewater made his New York Jets preseason debut on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons in a 17-0 win.

The Jets quarterback was seven of eight for 85 yards and threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to running back Isaiah Crowell in his brief debut. In the two drives Bridgewater played, the Jets scored 10 points and he finished with a 150.5 passer rating.

Bridgewater did play a few snaps late last season for the Minnesota Vikings in a reserve role but this preseason debut for the Jets was Bridgewater’s confirmation that he was finally back. Back to being a solid NFL quarterback and back to prove people wrong who have always doubted him.

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After the preseason opener, Bridgewater stressed that he felt good to be back out there playing and is excited for the 2018 season according to an article by NewYorkJets.com senior reporter Eric Allen. Here is what Bridgewater had to say:

It was definitely a great feeling just being out there with the guys. The greatest feeling is coming away with a victory, seeing all of your hard work in training camp paying off. That’s the best feeling. But it was a great feeling for me personally, being back out there after a couple years off seeing live action. It felt good getting hit again even though you never want the quarterback to get hit. It wasn’t a sack or anything, but it felt good being out there and I’m excited.”

The biggest question people had about Bridgewater going into the preseason opener was how his surgically repaired knee would hold up when he gets hit. Well, Bridgewater took a couple hits and got right back up. He looked comfortable out there, making reads and commanding the huddle. It was also a good look that he was the guy to throw the Jets first touchdown this preseason.

Preseason is always a nervous time for head coaches and general managers, trying to limit playing time for starters and key backups so they can avoid injury. In the event a quarterback does go down this preseason, Bridgewater would make for a very intriguing option for some teams.

Bridgewater still has the scrambling ability and accuracy that made him a Pro Bowl quarterback before his knee injury. You can guarantee most teams watched Bridgewater’s debut and came away impressed.

First-round pick Sam Darnold had a great preseason debut as well and is most likely going to win the starting quarterback job, with Josh McCown being a solid backup. With that combination at quarterback, the Jets would be smart to trade Bridgewater for a pass rushing specialist or a running back.

The running back position has suddenly gotten thin for the Jets, with Crowell being evaluated for a concussion and Elijah McGuire out for extended time with a foot injury. If Bridgewater’s play continues to rise, so will his trade value to quarterback-needy teams. The preseason is a time when freak accidents can happen if teams aren’t careful with their players.

Bridgewater has a very strong possibility to be a starting quarterback for an NFL team once more. For now, Bridgewater’s trade value is heating up and the Jets could potentially get something nice in return for trading him. Either a future mid to late draft pick or a player that could contribute immediately at an area of need this upcoming season.