4 most important Panthers players at the Chiefs in Week 9

Teddy Bridgewater – Carolina Panthers QB

Teddy Bridgewater sets himself high standards, and few would deny he hasn’t lived up to those over the last two games. The quarterback has been solid if not spectacular, but his inability to come through down the stretch has hurt the Carolina Panthers at times this season.

If things continue to trend on a slightly downward curve, it might come with speculation surrounding Bridgewater’s long-term future. Carolina made the biggest of decisions to pick up the former first-round pick in free agency – dumping Cam Newton in the process – so they are sure to give the signal-caller every chance to make the position his own.

Bridgewater will be compared to the best in the business weekend. Patrick Mahomes has revolutionized the position and if this game turns into a shootout there will be no margin for error for a player that has been very accurate distributing the football this season.

Given the lack of expectations on the Panthers at the defending champions, it might be worth offensive coordinator Joe Brady releasing the shackles somewhat regarding Bridgewater. They’ve been criticized for not taking enough shots downfield through the first half of the campaign and there will never be a better chance to showcase to the entire league that this is something the Louisville product has in his arsenal.

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It’s not time to panic where Bridgewater is concerned. But that might not be far away for some who never wanted him in the first place.