Teddy Bridgewater rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

3. Washington Redskins

Simply put, Alex Smith’s career-threatening leg injury puts the Redskins in a difficult position and it would be a surprise if he doesn’t miss all of next season. He carries salary cap hits of $20.4 million this year and $21.4 million in 2020, before the dead money hit drops to $10.8 million in 2021 (the third year of the four-year extension he got when acquired from the Chiefs). If Smith has to retire that would change things, but Washington is necessarily limited in what it can do to add a veteran quarterback for 2019.

Joe Flacco, Nick Foles, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyrod Taylor and Bridgewater are the notable veteran quarterbacks set to be available, with Ryan Tannehill in line to be added to the list. Flacco and Foles may be too expensive, and while Fitzpatrick is fun to watch he’s also erratic. That leaves Taylor and Bridgewater, along with internal free agents Colt McCoy and Josh Johnson or a possible draft pick, as the Redskins’ likeliest starting options for next season.

When we last saw him in extensive action with the Vikings, Bridgewater profiled similarly to Smith as a quarterback who took great care of the ball (often to a fault). That’s not necessarily a great reason for the Redskins to have a lot of interest, but the price should be right on a one or two-year deal.