Named as Week 17 starter

Bridgewater will start Sunday's game against the Panthers, Josh Katzenstein of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Coach Sean Payton made the announcement Friday afternoon, confirming Drew Brees won't play again until the divisional round of the playoffs. Making his first start since the end of the 2015 season, Bridgewater has an excellent opportunity to improve his value before his one-year contract expires. Of course, he'll probably spend much of the game playing with other backups, with Michael Thomas, Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram unlikely to handle their usual workloads if they even play at all.

May see work Week 17

Bridgewater will likely see action on offense Sunday against the Panthers, as coach Sean Payton is expected to rest a number of key regulars with the Saints having clinched the NFC's top seed, Mike Triplett of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Payton hasn't officially revealed his intentions for the regular-season finale, but his prior history in Week 17s when the Saints' playoff seeding has been secure suggests top signal-caller Drew Brees won't be pressed into extensive duty. Triplett notes that when the Saints were locked in as the No. 1 seed in 2009 and the No. 2 seed in 2006 heading into those respective season finales, Payton rested starters on both occasions. Further influencing Payton's case to follow that plan again is the…read more

Confirmed as top backup

Saints head coach Sean Payton said Thursday that Bridgewater is locked in as the team's top backup quarterback and would be first in line to start if Drew Brees were unavailable at any point this season, Luke Johnson of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis: Given that second-year signal-caller Taysom Hill is unproven at the NFL level outside of preseason action, there was never much doubt that Bridgewater would capture the top backup role after the Saints acquired him from the Jets on Aug. 29. It's more noteworthy, however, that Payton indicated Bridgewater entered Week 1 as the team's top backup, with the coach praising the 25-year-old for how quickly he picked up the playbook. Though Bridgewater has apparently impressed the Saints' staff in…read more

Traded to New Orleans

The Jets agreed Wednesday to trade Bridgewater and a future sixth-round draft pick to the Saints in exchange for a future third-round pick, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: With Sam Darnold making a strong case for the starting job and Josh McCown also on their roster, the Jets were always inclined to explore trade options for Bridgewater, who boosted his value by completing 28 of 38 passes for 316 yards with two touchdowns and one interception this preseason. The 25-year-old isn't exactly getting the opportunity he probably had been hoping for, as he'll be stuck behind Drew Brees in New Orleans this season. It's unclear if the Saints view Bridgewater as a…read more

Behind in QB competition but not out

The quarterback competition between Bridgewater and rookie Sam Darnold may still be ongoing, as SNY NFL Insider Ralph Vacchiano reports that coach Todd Bowles won't name a starting quarterback until at least "sometime next week".

Analysis: Darnold appears to be the frontrunner for the job after playing the entire first half in each of the team's past two preseason contests, but Bowles isn't quite ready to pull the plug on the quarterback competition. The Jets are likely interested in dealing Bridgewater for a high draft pick if another team's quarterback goes down, so it's still possible he opens the year as the starter to showcase his skills. On the other hand, Bridgewater has only played 16 percent of first-team reps in camp…read more

Sharp again in loss

Bridgewater completed 11 of 15 passes for 104 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Jets' 22-16 preseason loss to the Giants on Friday.

Analysis: Josh McCown took a seat Friday for the second straight preseason game, as coach Todd Bowles allowed Bridgewater and rookie first-round pick Sam Darnold a half each to make their case for a potential starting job to open the season. For the second straight week, the battle was more or less a draw, although unlike Darnold, Bridgewater was unable to get the offense into the end zone. He did lead an impressive 13-play, 78-yard march over a 6:24 stretch of the fourth quarter, moving the ball all the…read more

Plays entire second half Thursday

Bridgewater completed 10 of 15 passes for 127 yards, a touchdown and an interception in Thursday's 15-13 preseason loss to Washington. He also rushed once for four yards in the contest.

Analysis: Bridgewater played the entire second half after rookie Sam Darnold got all three of New York's first-half possessions. The highlight of Bridgewater's night was a 16-yard touchdown pass to Charone Peake. Josh McCown didn't get any reps at all in this one, so it's difficult to judge the status of New York's three-man quarterback competition at this point. Bridgewater can't be ruled out as a potential Week 1 starter, though.

Sharp in Jets debut

Bridgewater made his Jets debut in Friday's preseason opener. He completed seven of eight passes for 85 yards and a touchdown while adding a three-yard run in a 17-0 win over the Falcons.

Analysis: Bridgewater entered on New York's second possession after Josh McCown got the start. He threw a 16-yard touchdown to Isaiah Crowell on his lone drive with the starting offensive linemen, then produced a field goal on the next possession before exiting in favor of Sam Darnold. McCown remains the slight favorite in New York's three-man quarterback race, but the finally healthy Bridgewater looks poised to give McCown a serious run for his money judging by this impressive performance.

Bridgewater (knee) will open training camp behind just Josh McCown (hand) on the depth chart, Eric Allen of the Jets' official site reports.

Analysis: Bridgewater last saw significant playing time during the 2015 season, notching 3,231 yards and a 14:9 TD:INT ratio as the Vikings' starting signal-caller. A devastating knee injury essentially robbed him of two seasons, but he will get another crack at a starting job in New York during 2018. Bridgewater has reportedly impressed early in offseason workouts and should remain in the mix during training camp, but the presence of third overall pick Sam Darnold on the roster likely limits his future…read more

Bridgewater (knee) has been a standout performer during the first week of OTAs, ESPN's Rich Cimini reports.

Analysis: The most important takeaway here is that the left knee Bridgewater had surgically repaired back in September of 2016 is no longer bothering him. New York is still hoping that third overall pick Sam Darnold will show enough readiness for the NFL to start right away, but Bridgewater could certainly beat out 38-year-old incumbent Josh McCown if Darnold needs more seasoning. Don't expect this quarterback battle to be settled until preseason at the earliest.

Bridgewater (knee) participated in team drills during OTAs on Tuesday, Connor Hughes of NJ.com reports.

Analysis: Bridgewater was the second quarterback to take snaps during team drills after Josh McCown, with rookie Sam Darnold bringing up the rear, but that order is likely insignificant this early in the offseason. Regardless, it's another encouraging sign for the quarterback in his recovery that he is continuing to be a participant in the Jets' offseason programs, especially considering that reports surfaced in March that Bridgewater may be held out of the majority of offseason training. Those concerns…read more

General manager Mike Maccagnan said Bridgewater (knee) is healthy and was able to throw passes Tuesday at the start of Phase 2 of the Jets' offseason program, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports.

Analysis: It was reported at the end of March there was a chance Bridgewater wouldn't be able to take part in the team's offseason program, though the fifth-year quarterback was able to make enough progress in his recovery to get back on the field for some throwing drills. The exact level of his participation is still somewhat unclear, but it's an encouraging sign for Bridgewater nonetheless. While he's apparently on track to be at full strength in the near future, the Jets did add Sam Darnold during the…read more

General manager Mike Maccagnan confirmed Monday that Bridgewater (knee) may not be a participant in the offseason program, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reports. "That injury may take some time to fully recover from," Maccagnan said. "If all things go well, you guys will have a chance to see him out there to throw this spring."

Analysis: Maccagnan referenced the "risk-reward" of a signing like Bridgewater, who has taken just nine in-game snaps since tearing the ACL and dislocating the kneecap in his left knee on Aug. 30, 2016. The Jets are hopeful that the program set up by their training staff will help Bridgewater return to the level of play he exhibited in 2014 and 2015, when he averaged 7.24 yards per attempt, posted 28 touchdowns versus 21 interceptions and averaged 4.4 yards per carry in 29 appearances. As the offseason…read more

Bridgewater wouldn't commit to taking part in the Jets' offseason program, Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com reports. "That's not something I'm comfortable talking about right now," Bridgewater said in a conference call Wednesday. "I'm pretty sure that will be a discussion I have with the training staff and we'll come up with a plan moving forward."

Analysis: Bridgewater has played just nine snaps, all in Week 15 of last season, since tearing up his left knee on Aug. 30, 2016. If his comments reveal anything, his recovery appears to be ongoing, and any upcoming participation in OTAs and/or minicamp will be determined by the health of his surgically-repaired knee. Bridgewater's incentive-laden contract with the Jets only has $500,000 guaranteed, signifying he could be at risk of becoming a roster casualty this summer if it appears a rookie QB is…read more

Only gets $500k guaranteed

Bridgewater's one-year contract with the Jets includes only $500,000 guaranteed, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: Initially reported as a $15 million deal, Bridgewater's contract has sounded weaker and weaker as more of the details have become public. He'll collect a $500,000 signing bonus and a $500,000 workout bonus this offseason, but the rest of his money comes in the form of a non-guaranteed $5 million base salary and $9 million worth of incentives. With incumbent starter Josh McCown re-signed and the Jets recently trading up for the No. 3 overall pick with their eyes (presumably) on a young…read more

Bridgewater signed his one-year contract with the Jets on Sunday, Brian Costello of The New York Post reports.

Analysis: Now more than 18 months removed from suffering a torn ACL, the 32nd overall pick from the 2014 draft apparently was able to pass a physical. His contract has a maximum value around $15 million, but the majority seems to be in the form of incentives, as the base salary is only $6 million. Incumbent starter Josh McCown signed a one-year, $10 million contract, and the Jets recently traded up in the draft from No. 6 overall to No. 3, presumably with the intention of drafting another quarterback.…read more

Inks deal with Jets

Bridgewater's deal with the Jets carries a maximum value of $15 million, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

Analysis: In addition to adding Bridgewater, the Jets re-signed McCown, their 2017 starter, and it's expected that McCown will approach training camp atop the team's QB depth chart. That said, the terms of Bridgewater's deal suggest the situation to be competitive, assuming the health of both QBs. With both Bridgewater and McCown only under contract for one year, it's still plausible the Jets add a signal caller in the upcoming NFL Draft, possibly with the No. 6 pick overall.

Bridgewater plans to sign a one-year deal with the Jets, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports.

Analysis: It's been a busy day in the Jets' quarterback room, as the team re-signed veteran Josh McCown and have now secured Bridgewater. The 2014 first-rounder hasn't started a game since 2015 due to a devastating knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of the past two seasons, but Bridgewater likely will be in the midst of the quarterback competition this offseason.

The Jets are reportedly working on a deal for Bridgewater, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.

Analysis: Per the report, New York isn't Bridgewater's only option, but the team does have a need at quarterback and plenty of money to spend. Given signal-callers Kirk Cousins, Case Keenum and Sam Bradford are reportedly poised to sign with teams other than the Jets, Bridgewater looks like a decent alternative at this stage. The 2014 first-rounder was an ascending player for the Vikings when he suffered a devastating knee injury in August of 2016, but now further removed from that unfortunate…read more

Bridgewater will become an unrestricted free agent March 14 after the NFL Management Council decided not to toll the quarterback's 2017 contract into the new league year, league sources informed Ben Goessling of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Analysis: Bridgewater spent the first six weeks of the 2017 season on the Vikings' Physically Unable to Perform list. Consequently, there was a chance the final year of his rookie contract might have been pushed forward to the 2018 campaign, meaning Bridgewater would remain under contract at the same $1.35 million he earned in 2017. The decision to toll Bridgewater's contract wasn't ultimately up to the Vikings, but rather the NFL. It sounds like the NFL has ruled he will be a free agent, but that won't…read more

Free-agent status uncertain

There's a possibility Bridgewater's contract is tolled for the 2018 season, Courtney Cronin of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Bridgewater, who's set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the league year, spent the first six weeks of the 2017 season on the Vikings' Physically Unable to Perform list. Consequently, that could mean the final year of his rookie contract might be pushed forward to the 2018 campaign -- meaning Bridgewater would remain under contract at the same $1.35 million he earned in 2017. The decision to toll Bridgewater's contract is not up to the Vikings, but rather the NFL. While it's…read more

Bridgewater made one appearance for the Vikings in 2017, attempting two passes that resulted in one incompletion and one interception.

Analysis: On the mend from a freak knee injury he suffered in the summer of 2016, Bridgewater began the 2017 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list and wasn't available to practice until October. By the time he was ready to take the field, Case Keenum was playing at a high level and had the Vikings well-positioned for the playoffs, giving Minnesota little reason to turn back to its 2014 first-rounder. Bridgewater now enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent -- along with Keenum and Sam…read more

Bridgewater (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's NFC championship game in Philadelphia.

Analysis: Head coach Mike Zimmer has chosen Sam Bradford as the backup QB for the second consecutive contest, relegating Bridgewater to street clothes yet again.

Bridgewater is inactive for Sunday's playoff game against the Saints.

Analysis: While Bridgewater was made inactive, fellow QB Sam Bradford is in uniform for the Vikings and will serve as Case Keenum's backup Sunday.

Bridgewater is expected to serve as the Vikings' No. 3 quarterback during the postseason after the team activated Sam Bradford (knee) from injured reserve Saturday, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Analysis: Bradford, who made two starts before moving to IR in November following a knee procedure, resumed practicing earlier this month and apparently eased any concerns the organization had about his health. While Case Keenum will retain the starting role for Minnesota's postseason opener Sunday against New Orleans, Bradford is evidently being viewed as a better insurance option than Bridgewater, who returned from his own significant knee injury earlier this season following more than a year-long…read more

Bridgewater had an incompletion and an interception on two pass attempts in Sunday's 34-7 win over the Bengals.

Analysis: Bridgewater came in as a late-game replacement for Case Keenum, who bounced back from a down outing in a Week 14 loss to Carolina to complete 20 of 23 passes for 236 yards and two scores in Sunday's blowout win. Bridgewater's first regular-season pass attempt since 2015 went for an interception when a high throw bounced off Jerick McKinnon's hands and fell into the lap of a defender. Given how well Keenum has been playing, Bridgewater is unlikely to see field again this season unless his…read more

Bridgewater will again serve as Case Keenum's backup Sunday against the Rams, Craig Peters of the Vikings' official site reports.

Analysis: Keenum earned at least one more start with his four-touchdown performance in Sunday's 38-30 win over Washington. He did throw interceptions on consecutive drives in the second half, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Vikings from earning their fifth straight win. The team may continue to evaluate its quarterbacks on a week-to-week basis, taking into account both Keenum's performance in future contests as well as how Bridgewater looks during practices. With Keenum, Bridgewater and Sam Bradford…read more

Makes long-awaited return

Bridgewater (knee) is listed as active Sunday at Washington, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Analysis: Making his long-awaited return from a devastating knee injury, Bridgewater will take on a backup role to Case Keenum while he prepares for his first action since the Vikings' wild-card loss to the Seahawks in January of 2016. Keenum has a firm hold on the starting gig at the moment, but head coach Mike Zimmer will likely want to see how Bridgewater reacts to live snaps at some point this season.

Officially added to 53-man roster

The Vikings activated Bridgewater (knee) from the Physically Unable to Perform list Wednesday.

Analysis: Bridgewater's lengthy recovery from a severe non-contact injury to his left knee suffered in training camp last August has finally reached its conclusion, with the Vikings bringing him back to the active roster after he endured no setbacks during practice the last three weeks. The Vikings likely weren't counting on Bridgewater to contribute this season, but with Sam Bradford (knee) landing on injured reserve in a corresponding move following an arthroscopic procedure Tuesday, the 2014…read more

Bridgewater (knee) will be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list Wednesday, but won't start the Vikings' Week 10 game against the Rams, Chris Mortensen of ESPN reports.

Analysis: As expected, the Vikings will activate Bridgewater with his 21-day window to return from the PUP list set to expire this week, and with the 24-year-old's surgically repaired left knee apparently responding well to practices, he should displace Kyle Sloter as the top backup to Case Keenum on Sunday. Mortensen relays that the Vikings believe Bridgewater, who missed the entire 2016 season while recovering from the dislocated knee, will be ready to start relatively soon, but it's unlikely that…read more

Activation on tap for Week 10

Sources close to the Vikings indicate that the team intends to activate Bridgewater from the Physically Unable to Perform list ahead of their Week 10 game against the Redskins, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports reports.

Analysis: Since returning to practice a couple weeks ago, Bridgewater's surgically repaired left knee has responded well to the increased activity, which has apparently made the Vikings confident enough in his health to activate him shortly before the 21-day window to do so expires next week. Bridgewater is expected to be a full participant in practices throughout the upcoming week before dressing for the game against the Redskins, though he'll likely serve as the team's backup with Case Keenum…read more