Drew Brees' MVP candidacy might improve with some increases to his stats, but the New Orleans Saints are not taking any chances.
Saints coach Sean Payton announced Teddy Bridgewater will start in place of Brees in Sunday's season finale against the Carolina Panthers.
New Orleans has clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs, so Brees will get two weeks of rest.
Bridgewater has not started a game since the 2015 regular season. He suffered a career-threatening knee injury during the 2016 preseason with the Minnesota Vikings and has thrown only three regular-season passes in the last two years.