Carolina Panthers: 3 questions at quarterback entering camp

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(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) Teddy Bridgewater /

Carolina Panthers Question No. 1: Can Teddy Bridgewater fill Cam Newton’s shoes?

To say there is pressure on Teddy Bridgewater in 2020 is a massive understatement. The former first-round pick will be the scapegoat if things don’t go according to plan for the Carolina Panthers. And the knives are already out for him from large sections of the team’s fanbase.

This has nothing to do with the Panthers bringing in Bridgewater. Few would argue the signal-caller is not worthy of another starting chance after working his way back from a career-threatening leg injury. But many people thought the new regime should have given Cam Newton one more shot after almost 18 months off the field.

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Newton became an iconic figure for the organization after he was taken No. 1 overall in 2015. He is the team’s only MVP winner. And the way he was treated on his way out of the door only heightens the microscope to which Bridgewater will be working under in 2020.

Having no warm-up games to develop chemistry with his offensive line and weapons available it going to hamper Bridgewater early on. His previous relationship with Panthers’ offensive coordinator Joe Brady from their time together with the New Orleans Saints will stand the player in good stead. But filling Newton’s enormous shoes in Carolina will be no easy feat.

This is something Newton himself will be experiencing with the New England Patriots if he wins the starting job. He will be replacing perennial Super Bowl winner Tom Brady under center. And how he gets on will go a long way to determining just what sort of future he has in the NFL.

The Panthers bet big that Bridgewater is the man to lead them going forward., But it will not take long for Newton loyalists to voice their displeasure if he performs below expectations.

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