Teddy Bridgewater signs with Jets: Free Agency Grade

Have the New York Jets found their franchise quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater?

Years have gone by where the New York Jets have lost out on either signing or drafting a franchise quarterback. This year they missed out on the Kirk Cousins sweepstakes, but they have cashed in on former Minnesota Viking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

ESPN’s Chris Mortenson says the deal is for one year and comes off the Jets already signing Josh McCown. It could signal the Jets aren’t confident in the quarterbacks available with the sixth pick and would rather give Bridgewater a “prove it” deal.

Bridgewater hasn’t started an NFL game since the playoffs in 2015 due to a major leg injury suffered days before the 2016 season. The former Louisville quarterback did appear in one game last season in place of Case Keenum throwing just two passes, one being an interception.

The leg injury pulled a 180 on Bridgewater’s career coming off an 11-win season and playoff appearance with the Vikings. If he can prove he’s healthy a team might be able to rekindle what he had before dislocating his knee.

Whether or not this means the Jets do not draft a quarterback sixth overall is yet to be seen. Plenty of teams will look to trade up for a quarterback, including the Buffalo Bills at 12 and the Arizona Cardinals at 15.

Bridgewater might just be the bridge to a first round pick such as Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield. If New York isn’t in love with any of the quarterbacks this year, they can wait and have Bridgewater carry them forward for a year and instead draft a bluechip player sixth overall or pick up draft picks in a trade.

Next: Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins FA Grade

Bridgewater signing leaves AJ McCarron as the top quarterback remaining on the free agency market.