Before free agency officially begins, TGH will be giving you our picks for the top free agents at every position in 2020. Keep in mind, these are our opinions for the top players and will not list every free agent. As of writing, all of the players listed are currently still un-signed.
Today we look at the most important positions on the field, the quarterback.
Drew Brees
It is hard to imagine Brees in different colors than the Saints’ black and gold. It could feasibly happen in 2020, however.
With Brees’ contract expiring and two other viable options to go with, the Saints could move on from the Super Bowl MVP. Teddy Bridgewater, who is also a free agent, led New Orleans to five straight wins as a starter while Brees missed time with a thumb injury. Taysom Hill is a multi-faceted player whose game some compare to Lamar Jackson.
Drew Brees turned 41 ten days after the Saints exited the playoffs, and will be 41 for the entirety of the 2020 regular season. Considering his recent injury, his age, his free agent status and the fact that New Orleans has lost three playoff games in a row on the last play of each game, another possibility is retirement. He also set the mark for most passing touchdowns in NFL history in 2019; A record he could further solidify if he returns, or lose if Brady continues to play and he does not. That record could be a determining factor in his return, knowing his competitive nature.
Regardless, Brees still seemingly has productive years left in him as a player. If the Saints are willing to re-sign him, expect him to return. If Payton wants to move on and begin a new era in New Orleans, he may cut his losses, take his Super Bowl ring and MVP and retire. There is another, slim, possibility he could play for the team that drafted him, as the Chargers are likely looking to move on from Rivers.
Dak Prescott
Yes, Dak Prescott is a free agent. But in status only.
It is beyond likely that Dallas will re-sign Prescott. The real question is how much money they are willing to shell out to do it. Despite the Cowboys going 8-8 and missing the playoffs, Dak had arguably his best season throwing the football.
He had 4,902 yards and 30 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. His completion percentage was 65.1 percent, which was the second-lowest of his career, yet his QBR was the highest it had ever been at 71.2.
Prescott, reportedly, wants to become the highest-paid quarterback in the league. If the Cowboys decide to give him that kind of money, it will undeniably hamstring the rest of the team. Having that much money tied up in one player obviously takes a toll on other positions on the field.
The likelihood the Cowboys will pay him $40 million per year may be up for debate. But also up for debate is whether or not another team is willing to pay him that much. Prescott’s free agent status will come down to dollars and cents, and the level of “perceived” pay cut he will be willing to take to stay with Dallas.
Teddy Bridgewater
The second Saints quarterback gracing this list is former Louisville standout, Teddy Bridgewater.
As mentioned above, in 2019 he took New Orleans on a five-game winning streak after Drew Brees missed time due to injury. In those games he threw for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. His completion percentage was almost 68 percent during the winning streak.
It is certainly arguable whether or not the fantastic roster and high-powered offense were the true reasons the Saints won those games without Brees. What is not arguable is the fact that Bridgewater had to make those throws, regardless of the offensive talent.
Bridgewater suffered an infamously bad knee injury at the Vikings’ training camp in 2016. He missed the entire season after completely tearing his ACL. He returned to the Vikings in 2017, playing in only one game. In 2018 he found a home in New Orleans after being released from the New York Jets’ practice squad.
He is seemingly back at full strength, and is undoubtedly playing well. This free agency signing is dependent upon other factors, such as Brees retiring or returning and the Saints organization’s plans for Taysom Hill. Either way, he would be a good, but maybe not franchise-changing signing for a team struggling at the position.
Featured Image courtesy of Butch Dill/Yahoo! Sports
You can “Like” The Game Haus on Facebook and “Follow” us on Twitter for more sports and esports articles from other great TGH writers along with Ben!
Check out Eli and Ben’s Podcast “Courtside Ramblings” on SoundCloud or iTunes — TGH Podcast Feed
“From Our Haus to Yours“