Carolina Panthers: 4 big takeaways from Teddy Bridgewater’s presser

4. Learning from experience following in a legend’s footsteps

Filling the void left by Cam Newton will not be an easy task for Teddy Bridgewater. The 2015 NFL MVP became a transcendent talent during his time with the Carolina Panthers. But this is something that their new No. 1 option has had an experience of in the past.

Bridgewater was tasked with stepping into Drew Brees’ shoes over a five-game period in 2019 when the Pro Football Hall of Fame-bound signal-caller was forced to miss time through injury. He led the New Orleans Saints to a 5-0 record in his absence. And this played a significant part in the player getting a bigger commitment elsewhere in free agency.

He completed 67.9 percent of his passes during his time under center last season. This resulted in 1,384 yards through the air, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions. Expectations will be higher for Bridgewater next time around. But his newly acquired knowledge regarding the right sort of approach in this situation is going to do a tremendous amount of good in the coming weeks.

"“One of the biggest problems I had my first year in New Orleans was I wanted to be like Drew (Brees). I had to do everything Drew did in order to have success like Drew. But eventually, I learned that Drew Brees is Drew Brees. I’m Teddy Bridgewater. “Cam Newton is Cam Newton. I’m still Teddy Bridgewater. So I can’t go out there and try to be something that I’m not. I play the game the way I play it. I carry myself the way I carry myself, and I’m going to live and die by that.”"

Newton’s legacy in Carolina will live through the ages. He was the face of the franchise almost from the moment he stepped on the field. And there was a time when the quarterback was the most recognizable player in the NFL.

This is a daunting task for Bridgewater to replicate. But if he can focus on performing well then the rest should fall into place.