Following Pro Bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins' decision to join the Minnesota Vikings, the New York Jets were scrambling to find another feasible option in NFL free agency. New York's front office responded quickly reaching an agreement on a one-year, $15 million deal with Teddy Bridgewater.
This has put him in play to potentially be the Jets starting quarterback for the 2018 NFL season. However, this could quickly become a hollow quest for him as his deal with the team as he has $500,000 guaranteed for the upcoming campaign, according to Dan Graziano of ESPN.
Teddy Bridgewater's one-year Jets contract guarantees him only $500,000. That's his signing bonus. He gets a $5M non-guaranteed salary and a $500k workout bonuses. Incentives up to $9M for playing time, yards and TDS. https://t.co/USazyUSMv6
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 19, 2018
This makes it clear that this contract with New York is an incentive-laden deal that would require him to meet many individual statistical feats along the way. He is set to earn $250,00 per game that he plays 50 percent of the snaps while he can receive up to $1.25 million if he throws for 3,001 yards. Bridgewater can also earn $1.25 million for 21 touchdown passes and $2.5 million for 50 percent of snap and by reaching the playoffs.
In essence, the Jets have made an extremely team-friendly deal that should allow for them to dictate how things play out with the 26-year-old. It also leaves the door wide open for them to bring another quarterback aboard through this upcoming NFL Draft. This may have impacted why they decided to move up in the first round from the sixth overall pick to the third selection in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts that saw them part with a pair of 2018 second-round selections and a 2019 second rounder.
This has in essence allowed for the Jets to keep their options open at the position without committing long-term to any quarterback in free agency. It also shouldn't draw much criticism with the expected selection of a quarterback with the third overall pick next month. Ultimately, this puts Bridgewater in the position of having to prove that he can be a viable starting quarterback.
Follow Us
Subscribe