The NFL is a fickle, short-natured business. Just one year after signing Teddy Bridgewater to a bumper 3-year $63-million free agency deal to be their starting Quarterback the Panthers have given the veteran permission to seek a trade after the team traded for Sam Darnold.
While Darnold’s ability to be a successful starting QB may still be in doubt, what’s not in doubt is that he will be the Panthers starter for at least the 2021 season. So what now for the 2020 starter who posted a 4-11 record even without the Panthers best offensive weapon.
TEDDY BRIDGEWATER WON’T BE A PANTHER
Whether Teddy Bridgewater can find a suitable trading partner or not it’s save to say that he won’t be returning to Carolina. Having suffered a devastating knee injury while in Minnesota, Teddy wants the opportunity to start and the feeling around the league is that GM Scott Fitterer won’t stand in his way.
So where could he fit with most teams now set at QB, or looking to the draft? Washington is a possibility as they currently sit on Ryan Fitzpatrick as their starter and where also in on the Sam Darnold stakes. However, it is unlikely they will take on another veteran QB with the $6-million they guaranteed Fitzpatrick.
Houston sits on the radar depending on the teams real feelings about the Deshaun Watson situation. If the Texans don’t think the want-away QB really wants away and they’re willing to deal with the fallout from the sex-scandal currently engulfing him they will be out. But if there’s a thought this could rumble on Bridgewater offers a better upside to Tyrod Taylor.
Denver is a team that is set up to win now on defence having exercised the option in Von Miller’s deal. If they feel Drew Lock isn’t really ready yet after a very dicey 2020 and needs time to sit behind a veteran that can win them games now Teddy Bridgewater could be the ideal solution.
Of course the Broncos pick one spot after Carolina in this months draft. So there’s still a chance one of the top four or five quarterbacks could drop to them. But if they want to win now a rookie QB likely won’t offer that guarantee.
If the Panthers can find a team that’s interested don’t be expecting much about a 5th or 6th rounder, and expect the team to have to eat most of Teddy Bridgewater’s contract. If no partner is found expect Bridgewater to be released before we get to the regular season.
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