It’s crazy how much can change in a year. Eleven months ago, Teddy Bridgewater was viewed as one of the premier quarterback free agents in the NFL. His resurgence in New Orleans had been one of the best stories of 2019. The Chicago Bears witnessed it in person, watching him dismantle them 36-25 at Soldier Field. This is a big reason why they were among the teams most interested in signing him when free agency opened.
Despite a strong offer, Bridgewater elected to sign with the Carolina Panthers instead. This reunited him with Joe Brady, their new offensive coordinator who’d been an assistant in New Orleans. A sound decision at the time. One he might be regretting already. Despite throwing for over 3,700 yards with 15 TD passes and five TD runs with 11 interceptions, it appears the Panthers are already prepared to make a change.
The rumors over the past few weeks prove that.
New GM Scott Fitterer, who didn’t sign Bridgewater, made his intentions pretty clear when making a determined push to trade for former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford. Now there is a strong buzz that Carolina is preparing a massive proposal to pry Deshaun Watson away from the Houston Texans. One had to imagine this sort of activity wasn’t going to get a great response from Bridgewater.
Sure enough, evidence has emerged the quarterback unfollowed the team on both Twitter and Instagram. His accounts have since been made private. The writing is pretty much on the wall at this point. It would be a genuine surprise if the Panthers don’t have a new quarterback by the end of the spring.
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That boy Teddy Bridgewater unfollowed the Panthers before unfollowing PC 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/tIiP4p9EKA
— Umadbru🇸🇻 (@umadbruuu) February 19, 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjxbKyGZzTo&ab_channel=SportsProductions
Bears may still see Teddy Bridgewater as a viable option
They clearly liked him last year. Is there any reason to think that interest has waned in the past 12 months? His contract is a bit of an issue at over $20 million per year over the next two years. Carolina would be on the hook for a lot of dead money if they traded him though. This would potentially keep his price low to acquire him. He’s still just 28-years old and seems fully healthy after that knee injury that almost ended his career.
While the Panthers seem to place a lot of the blame for last season on him, it’s important to keep context. Carolina’s defense allowed at least 25 points in nine games. Teddy Bridgewater engineered at least 20 points in a game 10 times. So to say he was the primary issue with the team would be incorrect. That said, is he the upgrade they’re hoping for?
No. He could best be described as an Alex Smith-type.
Somebody who knows how to manage the game. He’ll protect the football, keep drives on schedule, and make a few throws to give the team a chance to win. Just don’t expect him to carry the team on his back week after week. Fans won’t view him as a true splash but if the Bears feel he can be better than what they had last year? It’s a move they’re certain to consider.