Should the Bucs go after Teddy Bridgewater?

The Bucs will begin the season with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting QB and Ryan Griffin as the his back-up. This is Griffin’s fifth year as an NFL player but he has yet to throw a pass in a regular season game.

Dirk Koetter is saying all the right games as it relates to Griffin’s role on the team. He has said repeatedly that he is confidant in Griffins’s ability to be successful as a QB.

But as we get closer to the start of the season, it seems as if there is some hesitation on the part of Koetter to put his full confidence in Ryan Griffin.

The name most talked about name available is Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater is currently in camp with the New York Jets trying to come back from a devastating knee injury suffered two years ago. Bridgewater is battling Sam Darnold and Josh McCown for a position on the the Jets roster.

Bridgewater’s contract will be up at the end of this season and the rumors are flying that the Bucs may be interested in acquiring Bridgewater.

Fitzpatrick is 35 years old and is entering his 14th NFL season. The Bucs have him under contract for this season.

We saw last year what Fitzpatrick meant to this team when he stepped in and played very well when Jameis Winston was out with his shoulder injury.

Fitzpatrick will also be counted on to get the Bucs season off to a good start in Winston’s absence.

The question becomes, If Fitzpatrick goes down, are the Bucs confidant that Griffin can step in and lead the Bucs to a win or two?

You are never going to know what you have in Ryan Griffin unless he is given an opportunity to lead the offense. Griffin has looked sharp in practice and led the Bucs on a last minute drive to get the win against the Dolphins. griffin ended hat game 20/26 for 179 yards and a TD.

I would like to see Griffin get an opportunity at some point. You will never know what you have unless he is given an opportunity. If he is not getting an opportunity how do you know he can be the guy?

The second question is are the Bucs going to re-sign Winston to a new contract? Winston is signed to a non-guaranteed contract for 2019 at just over $20 million. When Winston comes back it will take him some time to get into game shape.

The Bucs are in Chicago on the 29th of September which is the game Winston can make his return. I would expect Fitzpatrick to start that game, because the Bucs have a bye the following week, and that would give Winston about three weeks of practice time and getting up to speed before his first regular season action.

The Bucs will need to make a decision on Winston as to will he be the guy going forward and be the QB to take the Bucs to a Super Bowl? Or do the Bucs go in another direction?

It may be worth taking a flyer on Bridgewater if the price is right. Bridgewater will never be the guy in New York. That job will go to Sam Darnold.

Bridgewater is still young and has lots of football left. He has looked good in the pre-season and in training camp.

Jason Licht will have a tough decision to make as the season goes along. Winston’s play though could make the design an easy one for the Bucs front office.

Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports