4 biggest priorities for the Panthers in the 2021 offseason
By Dean Jones
Find a long-term quarterback
It is clear that the Carolina Panthers are facing a big decision at quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater just hasn’t played to the level expected and although there are some other factors to consider regarding his lack of production, the calls to draft a long-term player at the position are now deafening.
This is nice to think about.
But there are plenty of complications.
Bridgewater’s contract dictates that he’ll still be around in 2021. There isn’t an out on his deal until 2022 and it makes absolutely no financial sense to release him after just one year in Carolina.
The Panthers are also to miss out on the best three prospects after beating the Washington Football Team in Week 16. Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson should be gone by No. 8 overall and this would leave Carolina facing the proposition of gambling on a wildcard like Trey Lance or Mac Jones.
It is a complicated situation brought on by a lengthy and lucrative contract that Bridgewater shouldn’t have received in the first place. This was a player that hadn’t occupied a prominent starting role since 2015 and now the Panthers have made their bed, they’ll have to lie in it.