5 Carolina Panthers players on the hot seat this offseason
By Dean Jones
Teddy Bridgewater – Carolina Panthers QB
Teddy Bridgewater has the weight of the world on his shoulders heading into the offseason. The free-agent signing just hasn’t done enough to convince those who doubted the move he is the man to get the Carolina Panthers back to prominence and what happens during free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft will be a strong indicator of just what sort of future the quarterback has with the organization.
The early signs don’t look good.
Carolina hosted Dwayne Haskins for a visit earlier this week without offering him a deal, but they didn’t rule out the prospect according to multiple reports. This was probably down to the fact Scott Fitterer hadn’t been installed as general manager when the former Washington signal-caller was brought in, but it is a clear indication that the Panthers are looking at viable alternatives if Bridgewater continues to regress.
There are also growing calls from large sections of the team’s fanbase to select a college prospect at No. 8 overall in the draft. Although Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, and Zach Wilson are expected to be gone by this point, a wildcard like Trey Lance might be considered if the North Dakota State star impresses during the evaluation process.
Things don’t look entirely promising for Bridgewater.
But he will get one more shot to turn things around.
His contract virtually ensures he’ll be around for the 2021 season. With an improved offensive line and the return to health of Christian McCaffrey, it might see Bridgewater improve. But his confidence was clearly shot down the stretch and once this goes for a quarterback, it is very hard to get back.