The New Orleans Saints reportedly must prepare for at least six weeks without quarterback Drew Brees.
“Obviously it’s not something that’s ideal,” WWL Saints color analyst Deuce McAllister said. “But this is why you signed Teddy Bridgewater to a guaranteed contract. The guys have to rally around him, and everyone has to really raise their level of play.”
The Saints traded for Bridgewater before the 2018 regular season and then re-signed him to a 1 year, fully-guaranteed contract worth $7,250,000. New Orleans must now weather the storm with Bridgewater at the helm.
“Bridgewater has to play with confidence. He was up-and-down Sunday, but he didn’t get a lot of help from his teammates,” McAllister explained. “He just has to go out there and be confident in what he’s seeing and what he’s doing.”
Against the Rams, Bridgewater completed less than 60% of his passes for just a 72.2 passer rating after coming in to replace the injured Brees. Bridgewater did not practice with the first team leading up to the Los Angeles game; this week will be different.
“Teddy knows he’s playing this week. He’s going to be taking snaps with the first team,” McAllister said. “He has to be sharp. He has to be in and out of the huddle confident in what they’re calling, knowing that his coaches and teammates have his back.”
With Brees out, the Saints are down to two quarterbacks: Teddy Bridgewater and Taysom Hill. Hill has been as a utility player, lining up at quarterback, tight end, wide receiver, and on special teams. His usage may be lessened now.
“You may take him off special teams or one or two of his other roles because, at the snap of a finger, he could be your starting quarterback.”