4 things that need to happen before Teddy Bridgewater joins Saints
By Dean Jones
What needs to happen before Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater secures a potential switch back to the New Orleans Saints this offseason?
There is plenty of speculation surrounding the future of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The Carolina Panthers appear intent on getting a substantial upgrade on the signal-caller after he failed to make the most out of another starting opportunity, which is all part of the cutthroat business of the NFL and is sure to leave the former first-round pick on the outside looking in by the time OTAs roll around.
Bridgewater was as advertised in 2020 after signing a three-year, $63 million deal with a $15 million signing bonus and $33 million guaranteed. The Louisville product was accurate, didn’t take many risks down the field, and managed games well on the whole. But his 0-8 record on game-winning or tying drives throughout the campaign was something that really cost the Panthers and simply cannot be ignored.
The player’s clear confidence regression down the stretch was another concerning factor to consider. So whether it’s landing an elite quarterback like Deshaun Watson in a bombshell trade or picking a top college prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft, Bridgewater’s future in Carolina is hanging by a thread.
Where Bridgewater will be playing his football next season is unclear.
However, Ian Rappaport of the NFL Network recently stated that he “wouldn’t be shocked” if Bridgewater ended up back on the New Orleans Saints in a rare inter-divisional trade between Sean Payton’s men and the Panthers.
While this move makes a ton of sense, there are plenty of obstacles standing in its way. Let’s take a look at four things that need to happen before a trade like this can go through.