Kansas City Chiefs trade idea: Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater
By Matt Conner
Why the Chiefs would trade for Teddy Bridgewater?
The Kansas City Chiefs lack a clear option in case something happens to Alex Smith at this point. This is true in two forms. First on a game by game basis, there’s no one to take over who the team should feel great about. Last season, Nick Foles came in and kept the chains moving without a bump in the road. That’s what a great back-up brings to the table, a known quantity who can keep the momentum going if something happens.
On another level, Smith is also into his mid-thirties and is nearing the end of his initial deal. He just last season decided to stop running for so many first downs which takes away a significant asset for defenses to respect and consider. If he’s winding down, the Chiefs only have Tyler Bray on the roster as a potential to step up.
Teddy Bridgewater, despite the injury, is still only 24 years old. He’s four years younger than Brandon Weeden’s rookie season. There’s still a lot of football ahead of Teddy, potentially, and Bridgewater showed some nice skills before going down with an injury.
Besides, the investment here for the Chiefs would be minimal: a fifth round pick? Maybe a sixth? Maybe one of those plus another late round pick that would be conditional on Bridgewater ever turning into anything? A former first round pick for a quarterback with a career record of 17-11 who is still only 24 for a couple late round selections? Any NFL GM would likely make that deal.
So… wait, why would Rick Spielman make that deal, then?