Bridgewater after staying with Saints: 'They made playing football fun'

Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater re-signed with the New Orleans Saints on Friday, even after the Miami Dolphins made a strong push to acquire him.

The 26-year-old will continue to serve as Drew Brees' backup, a role that doesn't bother him after spending last season with the club.

"They made playing football fun, they made learning the game fun ... and that's something I appreciate," Bridgewater told WWL Radio, via ESPN's Mike Triplett. "I was able to be part of that for 18 weeks last season, and it was nothing but positive things that occurred."

The Saints will reportedly sign Bridgewater to a one-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $7.25 million, with a maximum value of $12.5 million.

Bridgewater still visited his hometown of Miami on Wednesday. However, he was always leaning toward re-signing with the Saints.

"I think for me, you ultimately play this game to compete and to start. But at the same time, I'm still 26 years old. And the way I look at it is that I'll have another opportunity to start in this league at some point," said Bridgewater.

Bridgewater suffered a brutal knee injury in 2016, and he's started only one game since the 2015 season ended. He was patient when tempted with the offer to start again for the Dolphins.

"So I look at it as this year I get the opportunity to continue to learn from a guy who's gonna be a Hall of Famer," he said. "And I get to be a part of a team that was a call away from getting to the Super Bowl. And I get to work with a coaching staff that grinds on a daily basis, that spends numerous nights at that facility to make sure their players are in the best positions to win.

"I look at those things, and I tell myself, 'Hey this is what I play this game for. And eventually my time will come that I can start.'"

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