In Week 5 the NFL will have another juicy revenge game storyline on their hands.
The New York Jets (2-2) will host the Miami Dolphins (3-1) at MetLife Stadium and will welcome back former quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
For a brief moment in time, Bridgewater was with the Jets during the 2018 offseason. While his tenure was short-lived, the veteran said it was an impactful few months.
Teddy Bridgewater Has No Hate on His Heart for Jets
Bridgewater spoke to the media on Wednesday, October 5, and was asked about his history with the Jets organization.
He decided to take a moment to thank the Jets ahead of their scheduled matchup:
“Honestly every game is the same because I respect the game and all of my opponents. I spent OTAs and a training camp with the Jets. I look at it like they helped save my career. You know when I signed with the Jets it was really like on a try-out basis almost. Todd Bowles and the trainer helped me get back to my old self health-wise. Bowles’ charisma and energy helped me get that confidence back in myself. Then when they traded me it was like hey everything happens for a reason. I understand the nature of the business so I don’t take anything personal.”
Really powerful stuff: #Dolphins QB Teddy Bridgewater credited the #Jets organization for ‘helping save my career’ when they signed him back in 2018 after his devastating leg injury, ‘they helped me get back to my old self’: 🎥 @MiamiDolphins #FinsUp #TakeFlight #MIAvsNYJ
Back in 2016 Bridgewater suffered a horrific leg injury during practice when he was a member of the Minnesota Vikings. It was a non-contact injury that resulted in a torn ACL and other structural damage (including a knee dislocation).
Due to the severity of the injury and complications, Bridgewater was set to miss the next 17-19 months of his professional career if not longer.
Ultimately he would make a relief appearance at the backend of the 2017 season but only threw two attempts in that game.
That offseason his football future was very much up in the air as an unrestricted free agent. The Jets took a chance on him and he impressed throughout training camp and the preseason.
So much so that the Jets were able to flip him in a trade to the quarterback-needy New Orleans Saints for a future third-round draft choice.
Despite how good Bridgewater looked, he never really had a chance with the Jets. A month after signing him they selected Sam Darnold with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
All in all, it worked for all sides. The Jets got a third-rounder for a player they signed months before and Bridgewater got a better path to a starting gig with the Saints.
A Better Path to a Jets Upset Over Dolphins
Bridgewater is set to start his first game for his hometown Dolphins because Miami earlier this week ruled out Tua Tagovailoa due to the concussion protocol.
Naturally with the Jets facing a team’s backup quarterback, their chances to win just increased.
However, history is against Gang Green as this classic Jets-Dolphins rivalry hasn’t been much of one in recent times.
Miami has dominated things as of late winning 10 out of the last 12 meetings. The Dolphins haven’t simply earned the wins, they have flexed their muscles outscoring the Jets in those games 277 to 186.
This biannual #Jets, #Dolphins matchup hasn’t been much of a rivalry recently.
Miami has won 10 out of the last 12 meetings & has outscored NYJ 277-186 in those contests.
If #TakeFlight wants to prove this isn’t the same old Jets, that starts on Sunday vs #FinsUp.
In addition to that, the Jets are currently on an 0-12 losing streak inside the division.
Earlier this offseason head coach Robert Saleh provided a passionate speech to his players that was caught on camera, “that s*** ain’t flying, that s*** f****** ends this year.”
#Jets HC Robert Saleh delivered a strong message about closing the gap in the AFC East:
‘We have 12 consecutive division game losses, we have been outscored 358-158, 12 losses that s*** ain’t flying, that s*** f****** ends this year’ #TakeFlight @nyjets
This will be a revenge game by definition, but there is nothing but love between Bridgewater and the Jets heading into Sunday’s game.
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Dolphins QB Teddy Bridgewater Sends Strong Message to Jets