It’s now or never for Teddy Bridgewater at Washington in Week 16
By Dean Jones
Can Teddy Bridgewater turn things around?
There are obvious limitations surrounding Teddy Bridgewater’s play. But that is something the Carolina Panthers didn’t know when they signed him to a lucrative contract during free agency.
His lack of conviction in getting the ball downfield is there for all to see and for some reason, Bridgewater is finding it difficult to come through in critical situations. The former Louisville standout is now 0-8 on game-winning or tying drives this season, which simply isn’t good enough whichever way one looks at it.
Confidence is a big thing for quarterbacks.
Something Bridgewater appears to be running out of.
The nervy way he’s started the last few games can attest to that. However, there are some mitigating factors that are contributing to Bridgewater’s ability to perform at the level expected.
His interior protection has been less than stellar during the second half of the campaign. And it’s easy to forget Bridgewater hasn’t had the benefit of All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey alongside him in the backfield for all-but three games this season.
That being said, Bridgewater should be doing better.
His 3-10 record as a starter is further evidence of that.
Bridgewater has completed 69.8 percent of his passes for 3,360 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He’s averaging just 7.4 air yards per attempt, 3.6 air yards for every completion, and has 265 rushing yards and five touchdowns to show for his efforts.
Not the worst by any stretch of the imagination. But it’s simply not enough if the Panthers want to consider themselves as a legitimate postseason contender moving forward.