Carolina Panthers: No excuses for Teddy Bridgewater in 2020
By Dean Jones
How can Bridgewater succeed with Carolina Panthers?
Teddy Bridgewater will undoubtedly lean on his All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey heavily throughout his first season with the Carolina Panthers. The former Stanford product is now officially the face of the franchise and signed a new four-year extension prior to the NFL Draft that made him the highest-paid player at the position in NFL history.
McCaffrey warrants considerable attention from an opposing defense on every down. He is an exceptional runner and will also provide Bridgewater with a nice security blanket coming out of the backfield. How the pair connect will go a long way to determining the Panthers’ fortunes in 2020.
The new quarterback also has some formidable passing weapons to utilize. D.J. Moore is coming off his first 1,000-yard season and could even produce even better numbers with a more consistent thrower getting him the ball.
They also signed free-agent Robby Anderson on a two-year, $20 million deal to prize him away from the New York Jets. He attained 52 receptions, 779 yards, and five touchdowns on a struggling offense last season and there is real hope he can make a big impression during his time with the franchise.
Curtis Samuel also has a point to prove after the player became the subject of some intense trade speculation during the NFL Draft. The Panthers eventually decided to keep the player on the last year of his deal and he will provide a Bridgewater with a nice intermediate route runner that has the scope to break off the odd big play.
Although the Panthers lost roster mainstay Greg Olsen to the Seattle Seahawks in free agency. There is plenty to suggest tight end Ian Thomas can take a big leap forward with more time on the field. This will give Bridgewater another useful option to have both across the middle and in the red zone.
The Panthers’ offensive line has had a significant makeover this offseason. That might come with some growing pains early on with the lack of practice time due to the coronavirus pandemic. But the likes of Russell Okung, John Miller, and Michael Schofield should shore up a unit that gave up 58 sacks in 2019. This was joint-worst in the NFL alongside the Miami Dolphins.