Panthers: 4 opt-outs that would guarantee Trevor Lawrence in 2021

Carolina Panthers Player No. 3: Teddy Bridgewater (QB)

The stakes could not be higher for Teddy Bridgewater in 2020. The Carolina Panthers bet big that he is the man to lead them into a new era. And this is the second chance he has been waiting for since a training camp injury almost cost him his career.

Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million deal with a $15 million signing bonus, and $33 million guaranteed this offseason. The Panthers also moved on from iconic signal-caller Cam Newton to accommodate the former Louisville standout.

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This represents a huge vote of confidence in the player’s ability to produce the goods. Bridgewater went 5-0 with the New Orleans Saints when Drew Brees missed time in 2019. And he is already familiar with what is expected in Joe Brady’s dynamic offensive scheme.

However, if Bridgewater decides to opt-out for fear of his health, then Carolina can kiss their chances of any sort of success goodbye. Will Grier proved last season that he needs more development before he is ready to contend for a place under center. And although P.J. Walker comes into the NFL having lit up the XFL. Throwing him to the wolves in this scenario would do more harm than good.

Bridgewater himself will know what’s at stake. He will be all-too-aware of the murmurings surrounding Carolina’s decision to replace Newton. There are already sections of the team’s fanbase who are looking forward to next spring and the possibility of selecting Trevor Lawrence as their new quarterback of the future.