5 Carolina Panthers with the most to prove in 2020
By Dean Jones
QB. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. TEDDYBRIDGEWATER. 1. player. 87. CAROLINA PANTHERS
Carolina Panthers Player No. 1: Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
The pressure on Teddy Bridgewater to deliver the goods in 2020 is substantial. The Panthers bet big that he is the man to turn around their fortunes. And this represents a real opportunity for the player to make another go of being a prominent starter.
It has taken Bridgewater five years to get back to this point. A freak training camp injury with the Minnesota Vikings left his career on the brink. But he remained resolute to earn limited opportunities with the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints before getting a significant commitment from Carolina in free agency.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
The Panthers gave their new signal-caller a three-year, $63 million deal that included a $15 million signing bonus and $33 million guaranteed. Perhaps more eye-catching was their removal of iconic figure Cam Newton, which was handled poorly by the organization and has piled more pressure on Bridgewater heading into the season.
There are plenty of things going for Bridgewater in 2020. He has a wealth of firepower at his disposal. And he is already familiar with offensive coordinator Joe Brady from their time working together in New Orleans.
Although the Panthers appear confident in the former first-round pick’s chances. It will be up to Bridgewater to prove a point next season and avoid the front office from glancing elsewhere if things do not go according to plan.
His 5-0 record under center for the Saints in 2019 means Bridgewater will not be lacking in confidence. But there are some who doubt whether he can do enough behind a weaker offensive line.