Why did Teddy Bridgewater turn down a starting job to stay with the Saints?

SmashMouth · 03-16-2019, 06:13 AM

The Miami Dolphins offered Teddy Bridgewater some things the New Orleans Saints could not: A chance to walk into the 2019 season as the starting quarterback and a chance to play in his home town.

Still, Bridgewater chose the Saints, signing a one-year, $7.25 million contract that could net him as much as $12.5 million if he hits performance incentives.

Why? Bridgewater explained his rationale Friday (Mar. 15) in a teleconference with reporters.

First, his age: “I’m still 26 years old,” Bridgewater said. “The way I look at it is that I’ll have another opportunity to start in this league at some point.”

Second, the resources and the opportunity to be a part of something big: “I get to compete (with) and learn from a guy who is going to be a Hall of Famer (Drew Brees), to get to be a part of a team that was a call away from being in the Super Bowl, I get to be a part of a team and a coaching staff that grinds on a daily basis, that spends numerous nights at the facility to make sure the players are in the best position to win.”

Third, an offense with a track record: “You look at what this offense has done over the past decade, it’s like, shoot, everything’s right there. It’s proven, it’s a proven offense, it’s a proven staff. Of course, it didn’t just happen by just rolling the ball out there.”

There also, of course, is the little matter of a potential succession plan. Brees turned 40 years old in the days before the NFC championship and does not yet have a clear idea of when he may retire.

Bridgewater declined to speak about any sort of plan to speak about following Brees as the Saints starting quarterback, saying he is zeroing in on this season alone.

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03-16-2019, 06:13 AM	#1
SmashMouth I donated, did you? Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Mandeville, LA Posts: 38,479 Blog Entries: 29	Why did Teddy Bridgewater turn down a starting job to stay with the Saints? The Miami Dolphins offered Teddy Bridgewater some things the New Orleans Saints could not: A chance to walk into the 2019 season as the starting quarterback and a chance to play in his home town. Still, Bridgewater chose the Saints, signing a one-year, $7.25 million contract that could net him as much as $12.5 million if he hits performance incentives. Why? Bridgewater explained his rationale Friday (Mar. 15) in a teleconference with reporters. First, his age: “I’m still 26 years old,” Bridgewater said. “The way I look at it is that I’ll have another opportunity to start in this league at some point.” Second, the resources and the opportunity to be a part of something big: “I get to compete (with) and learn from a guy who is going to be a Hall of Famer (Drew Brees), to get to be a part of a team that was a call away from being in the Super Bowl, I get to be a part of a team and a coaching staff that grinds on a daily basis, that spends numerous nights at the facility to make sure the players are in the best position to win.” Third, an offense with a track record: “You look at what this offense has done over the past decade, it’s like, shoot, everything’s right there. It’s proven, it’s a proven offense, it’s a proven staff. Of course, it didn’t just happen by just rolling the ball out there.” There also, of course, is the little matter of a potential succession plan. Brees turned 40 years old in the days before the NFC championship and does not yet have a clear idea of when he may retire. Bridgewater declined to speak about any sort of plan to speak about following Brees as the Saints starting quarterback, saying he is zeroing in on this season alone. more on NOLA Attached Thumbnails