Teddy Bridgewater Rumors: QB Visiting Dolphins Amid Contract Talks with Saints

Drew Brees is undoubtedly the starting quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, but the backup position is unclear.

Jane Slater of NFL Network reported Tuesday that backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater was expected to re-sign with the Saints. However, Ben Volin of the Boston Globe reported on Wednesday that Bridgewater is meeting with the Miami Dolphins at their facility. ESPN's Dianna Russini added the Saints "feel like [a deal] will get done but the Miami Dolphins are involved, trying to land Bridgewater." 

Last season was Bridgewater's first in New Orleans. The former first-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Minnesota Vikings and missed all of 2016 with a gruesome knee injury.

Prior to that injury, Bridgewater was a promising young starter. His first two seasons saw the Louisville product toss a combined 6,150 yards, 28 touchdowns and 21 picks in 29 games. Following the damage to his knee, Bridgewater only appeared in one game for the Vikings in 2017. 

The Saints then acquired him in a trade from the New York Jets after a brief preseason stint in New York. Bridgewater was sent to New Orleans along with a sixth-round pick in exchange for a 2019 third-round pick, per ESPN.com's Rich Cimini.

While serving as Brees' backup last season, Bridgewater appeared in five games. He completed 14 passes for 118 yards, a touchdown and an interception. Following the Saints' loss in the NFC Championship, Bridgewater opened up to Luke Johnson of the Times-Picayune about his impending free agency: 

"Who knows how it will all play out? ... Whatever happens in the future, it'll just happen. ... I definitely feel like I've overcome some major hurdles to get back to where I want to be in my career. I have some time this offseason to reflect on things and think about life going forward. ... Trying to become a better player and continue to find ways to make an impact in this league. That's my focus right now."

Miami would be an interesting landing spot for Bridgewater for two reasons. He's from Miami, first of all—committing verbally first to play at the University of Miami before ultimately playing at Louisville. In Dec. 2014, Bridgewater told Chris Tomasson of the Pioneer Press of his decision: 

"The people in Miami would have loved to see me stay home and play for the Miami Hurricanes, but at the end of the day, you have to make the decision that is going to be best for yourself, your family and your future. That was the decision I made, and I don’t regret it."

Bridgewater may now have a second chance to make his Miami people happy, especially given the uncertainty surrounding current Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill. With all the twists and turns his career has taken, it's difficult to remember that Bridgewater is only 26 years old. He could very much still compete to be an NFL starter once again, whether that be in Miami next season or in New Orleans post-Brees.