There will be no excuses for Teddy Bridgewater as he looks to make another go at starting in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers in 2020.
The story surrounding Teddy Bridgewater is an inspirational one. But the NFL is an unforgiving place and now is the time to deliver.
The new Carolina Panthers quarterback almost lost his leg and career following a serious knee injury sustained during a Minnesota Vikings practice. This involved a significant period of rehab and after impressing under center for the New Orleans Saints in 2019, Bridgewater secured a big-money contract in free agency.
Carolina not only gave Bridgewater a three-year, $63 million deal that included a $15 million signing bonus and a further $33 million guaranteed. The front office has also done a good job of putting some playmakers around the signal-caller to give him the best possible chance to succeed.
Few would argue that the former first-round pick out of Louisville is deserving of the opportunity after securing a 99.1 passer rating for the Saints in 2019. He was given a respectable 73 rating by Pro Football Focus and went 5-0 in the absence of veteran gunslinger Drew Brees.
Expectations will not be as high in Carolina. But that doesn’t mean Bridgewater does not have to produce the goods in his first season.
If things don’t go according to plan, then the Panthers might decide to look at the elite prospects coming through the college ranks as a more viable long-term solution. The likes of Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Trey Lance all have enormous potential and should be enough to bring a sense of urgency to Bridgewater’s play.
The Panthers offense looks loaded with talent, so this leaves the onus on Bridgewater to prove he was worth such a large financial investment.
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.
Why Bridgewater must deliver with Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are expected to struggle by many experts next season. They are in the midst of a rebuild under new head coach Matt Rhule and blending in so many fresh faces comes with its own complications.
While that might take the pressure off Rhule somewhat, the same does not apply to Teddy Bridgewater. The player might have signed a three-year contract in Carolina. But there are some that predict this could only be a short-term arrangement if he cannot find the form of old.
That is why it is essential Bridgewater hits the ground running. He cannot control what the Panthers’ young defense will do. However, what he can be for the franchise is a composed presence in the pocket that can manage a game efficiently.
Bridgewater has never had the biggest arm in the world. What he is good at it reading the game quickly and the player also disguises his throws well. This is something the Panthers were sorely lacking last season after Kyle Allen’s initial success faded as quickly as it arrived.
The Panthers’ front-office has put some quality weapons around Bridgewater, so there will be no excuses. If the offensive line holds up and shows a marked improvement then there is every chance the quarterback can thrive in a new environment.
The NFC South is going to be tougher than ever in 2020. The New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Super Bowl aspirations, while the Atlanta Falcons’ window may be entering its final couple of seasons with Matt Ryan under center.
It is going to be difficult for Bridgewater and the Panthers, of that there is little doubt. Overcoming adversity is nothing new to him. But this fantastic comeback story will now have to end with the signal-caller delivering when it matters most.