2018 NFL Trade Machine: Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos

There’s quite a bit more conjecture and speculation to this 2018 NFL trade machine idea, but it has some basis in terms of possibility. Bear with us.

The New York Jets may have played their cards perfectly at quarterback this offseason. Not only did they secure Sam Darnold at #3 overall in the draft, the QB most considered best in the class, they also locked up the highly-overlooked Teddy Bridgewater in free agency. While his devastating knee injury remains common knowledge, people seem to forget he was a Pro Bowler before that.

Bridgewater is still just 25-years old. He’s had two full years to recuperate from the injury and reports out of Jets practices is he’s looked spectacular. Some even think he might be a closet threat to keep Darnold on the bench and claim the starting job. It’s definitely intriguing. Logic prevails though that in the end the rookie will be manning that position.

That doesn’t mean the Jets can’t get value in return for Bridgewater. He’s already a valuable backup. Most teams can’t say they have a former Pro Bowler as their #2. He also could represent a key trade chip should the right dominoes fall. Perhaps another team loses their starter and desperately need a replacement. Or maybe Bridgewater starts, plays well until the trade deadline and is dealt at maximum value.

The possibilities are extensive.

Denver Broncos are a team to watch on this scenario

It might not make sense that the Broncos are listed as a team that could deal for Bridgewater. After all, they just got done signing Case Keenum in free agency. They also still have Paxton Lynch and Trevor Siemian as reserves. So what gives? This mostly has to do with lack of faith in Keenum. People feel he broke through in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings, guiding them to an NFC championship appearance.

However, it’s far more likely that he was the beneficiary of a perfect situation. He had a superb offensive coordinator in Pat Shurmur guiding his way. Two stud receivers in Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielein. Last but not least, he played with the #1 defense in the NFL all season. Nevermind playing in a dome for half the season. None of those benefits will follow him to Denver. So what happens if he flops or gets hurt?

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John Elway will be forced to make a decision. Does the team take one last chance on Lynch or Siemian, or does he make an aggressive move for outside help? The Broncos GM has shown he doesn’t fear the bold moves. If Bridgewater is available at a fair price, he could easily make the move. It would be rather poetic as Bridgewater would come in to replace Keenum, the man who helped to usher him out of Minnesota last year.