5 emergency QB options if the Saints lose Derek Carr to injury in 2023
- Cam Newton could spell relief if needed
- Teddy Bridgewater is a viable option
- Carson Wentz would be good in an emergency situation
By Randy Gurzi
3. Teddy Bridgewater
There was a time when Teddy Bridgewater appeared to be a franchise quarterback. A first-round pick for the Minnesota Vikings, he went 11-5 in his second season but then missed the entire 2016 campaign due to a terrible knee injury.
Bridgewater nearly saw his career come to an end due to the severity but was able to fight his way back and make a single appearance in 2017.
Then in 2018, he hit free agency and signed on with the New Orleans Saints and was able to pick up some excellent habits from Drew Brees over the next two seasons. By 2019, he was pressed into action for five games when Brees was injured and he was fantastic throwing for 1,384 yards with a 9-to-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Most importantly, the Saints were 5-0 with TBH20 starting. It was enough that the Carolina Panthers brought him in to replace Cam Newton and he was their starter in 2020. He followed this up by starting in 2021 with the Denver Broncos and then backed up Tua Tagovailoa in Miami last year.
Despite becoming a journeyman, Bridgewater continues to play well. He's 33-32 in his career as a starter and has 15,120 yards with 75 touchdowns against 45 picks. If the Saints felt they needed someone they could trust for one year, Bridgewater would be on the shortlist.