Cousin wasn't in a similar situation. He didn't sign a prove it contract as a free agent. He signed franchise tags contracts because he won't sign for under market value.Again in hindsight I'm not saying he ended up with an atrocious contract now. Personally I think he could have done a lot better and lost a year to prove it. Use cousins as an example he paid his dues with a bad team and came out with a megadeal. Depends on your aspirations I guess but you have to respect cousins as some people don't even think he's that good! I believe bridge could have done the same thing in Miami. I think he plays just as well if not better than Fitz and they would have or someone would have paid him better than carolina as they are rebuilding.
But going back in time he didn't know any of this and it took some luck or he could have ended up in the same boat with no film and obviously less money. Face it playing helps a players value especially a QB's. This debate wasn't about just being set for life as all of those players do pretty damn well it was maximizing his value by playing versus sitting. I probably struck a cord because I called him a coward if I went too far I apologize but maybe he was concerned about his knee or something and thought safer to sit the year. Personally I take Miami, Carolina anywhere that I can start I'm glad that he's signed somewhere for his sake.
As for the coward comment, yes that struck a nerve. I truly believed Bridgewater wanted very much to sign with the Dolphins, but the terms offered were just to lopsided to the Dolphins side. All the risk was Bridgewaters. Had to really smart to have resign as Brees back up. However it wasn't by any means giving up on his career. He was just going soldier forward and keep working at his career to be a starter for a team. Yes he got some lucky break to be able to play, but was unlucky that Brees didn't retire IMO and like I said even without playing in those games he 1) has more money in his bank account. 2) Could go back in free agency at a time when more teams had openings, thus more opportunity.