4 biggest disappointments in Panthers’ collapse loss at Vikings

Teddy Bridgewater – Carolina Panthers QB

All eyes were on Teddy Bridgewater during his first game back in Minnesota since the team released him. This was a chance for the player to have a real statement game and prove beyond all doubt that he is the man to lead the Carolina Panthers moving forward.

Things did not go according to plan.

Bridgewater looked nervous from the outset, which is not in keeping with his quiet and calm demeanor. His pick in the red zone in the first quarter set the tone for a disappointing performance that has left more questions than answers.

The former first-round pick didn’t look to be hampered by an MCL sprain that kept him out of Carolina’s shutout win over the Lions last time out, which only makes his performance even worse. Bridgewater was out of sync with wide receiver D.J. Moore for long periods and his completion percentage of 52.7 was his lowest of the season by a considerable margin.

This is not why the Panthers paid Bridgewater the big bucks this offseason. He was expected to come in and take an offense loaded with playmakers to new heights and if this trend continues after the bye, it might make the coaching staff think differently about allocating their top 2021 NFL Draft pick on a better solution long-term.

It’s a little too early to write off Bridgewater just yet. But time to win people around is running out.