NFL Rumors: Drew Brees Return Practically Sends Bridgewater To Free Agency

Drew Brees made it official when he announced that he was returning to play for the New Orleans Saints this 2019-20 NFL season. Despite his age, Brees made it clear that he was unlikely to check out the free-agent market and join another team. The 41-year-old made the announcement via Instagram.

"My feelings about the 2020 season! I look forward to the grind and the journey, for the reward at the end will be worth it!!! Love you #WhoDatNation. Let’s make another run at it!"Brees said in the post.

As of this writing, details on Brees contract has yet to be known. Regardless, this is not expected to encounter any rough sailing. In 2018, the Super Bowl champion agreed to a two-year contract worth $50 million, ESPN reported. It was slightly below the normal salary of quarterbacks ($35 million). Though no numbers have been mentioned, the 13-time Pro Bowler could receive nothing less than $30 million.

With Brees returning, the Saints are expected to decide on their backup quarterbacks. Teddy Bridgewater and Tayson Hill alternate as backup QBs, but coach Sean Payton already mentioned back in January that it would be unrealistic to keep both. Of the two, it appears Bridgewater is the guy likely to go.

The 27-year-old was 5-0 as a starter last NFL season while Brees was injured. Most are expecting him to command a starter-caliber salary. A sensible landing spot would be the Chicago Bears who are in need of a reliable QB. Unfortunately, their tight budget might prevent that from happening.

If not the Bears, there are a lot of teams in need of a quarterback as well. That would include the Tennessee Titans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts or even the Carolina Panthers. Of those teams, Bridgewater going to the Panthers would depend on the status of Cam Newton and what Carolina plans to do moving forward.

The Los Angeles Chargers could be a possible landing spot, same with the Las Vegas Raiders. The Miami Dolphins could make sense as well, especially if they fail to get their targeted rookie QBs. With Joe Burrow likely to end with the Cincinnati Bengals, all sign point to a Tua Tagavailoa selection. However, there are concerns on the health of the Samoan-American quarterback who is coming off a hip injury as reported in a previous post.