New York Jets: Teddy Bridgewater trade means the team is Sam Darnold’s

Teddy Bridgewater of the New York Jets (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Teddy Bridgewater of the New York Jets (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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The New York Jets have traded Teddy  Bridgewater to the Saints, making it all but official that the team belongs to Sam  Darnold.

The inevitable has finally become a reality for the New York Jets. We have been talking for several days about the need to move on from Teddy Bridgewater. It has finally happened.

According to Jason La Canfora, the Jets are expected to land a mid-round draft pick in return for the now-healed quarterback. Mike Silver (via Connor Hughes) is reporting that the pick is a third round pick.

UPDATE: 

Schefter updated the compensation with the following tweet:

Bridgewater did play quite well during the preseason, and it was exciting to watch him return from injury. In three games he went 28-38 (73.6% completion), 316 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

We’ve said it many times but we will say it again. Teddy had to go. Sam Darnold is the future of this team. If they let Bridgewater stay he would have walked away for nothing at the end of the season. He was only on a one year deal.

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The Jets were unlikely to receive a compensatory pick in return if Bridgewater walked because they will be spending a lot in the free agent market in the upcoming off-season. This move had to be made.

That’s not to say this isn’t a wonderful story. It is. The fact that Bridgewater could return from such a horrific knee injury is remarkable and everyone around the Jets hopes he has a great remainder of his career.

We were all proud to see him get it going while wearing the green and white.

But the fact remained that keeping Bridgewater around here just didn’t make any sense. It would have stunted the team’s development in the long run.

Now, although the Jets haven’t made the announcement yet, this all but guarantees that Sam Darnold will start week one. It doesn’t make sense that Josh McCown would play at this point.

Darnold is the one that has gotten all of the reps and he has not taken any steps back that would force him to the bench.

Darnold has done the job and now the job is his, with his mentor McCown in the wings cheering him on.

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It makes sense for the Saints as well. Drew Brees isn’t getting any younger. He will turn 40 in January. The Saints have to be thinking about what to do next.

With Bridgewater healthy, they have a guy that can take the job when Brees is ready to hang it up. Look for them to give him an extension.

It was a good trade for both sides, and the Darnold era begins. Let’s go!