Teddy Bridgewater might not enter the NFL draft even though many have considered him a possible No. 1 overall pick.
NFL and college football analyst John Middlekauff reported that sources told him Bridgewater has contemplated returning to Louisville for his senior season.
Multiple sources tell me Teddy Bridgewater has contemplated returning to school. No decision has been made at this point
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) December 13, 2013
NFL.com’s Gil Brandt says he heard the same this week.
This is unexpected from a media perspective; the Houston Texans-Jacksonville Jaguars game last week was dubbed the “Bridgewater Bowl” because those teams were fighting for the worst record in the league, which would result in them having the top overall draft pick.
So what’s the issue?
Middlekauff says NFL people he’s talked to don’t view Bridgewater as the No. 1 pick. He also says some people have Fresno State quarterback Derek Carr ahead of Bridgewater. If Carr were taken as the first pick, he and his brother David would join the Mannings as quarterback brothers taken first overall.
It’s hard to imagine what Bridgewater would have left to show if he returned for his senior season. After throwing for 3,718 yards, 27 touchdowns and 8 interceptions as a sophomore, he has thrown for 3,523 yards, 28 touchdowns and 4 interceptions this season while completing 70.2 percent of his passes. He also led Louisville to an 11-1 season.
Does he feel like there are too many other good QBs in the draft? Does he want another year of the college experience? Does he want to try for a perfect season at Louisville? Who knows what he is thinking, but it’s fair to speculate that any number of those thoughts are in his head.
