4 positions the Carolina Panthers should not address in free agency
By Dean Jones
Quarterback
There has been so much speculation surrounding the future of Teddy Bridgewater almost from the moment their efforts in 2020 came to a formal conclusion. The quarterback’s production with the game on the line came in for significant criticism throughout the campaign, with his clear confidence regression down the stretch enough for the Carolina Panthers to bench him in their season finale against the New Orleans Saints.
A failed trade for Matthew Stafford didn’t exactly dispel the myth Carolina was looking for something better. There is also the tempting proposition to make a bombshell trade to try and acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans, which is more of a pipe dream than anything at this juncture.
If the Panthers strike out on Watson or any other veteran in the trade market, then they should look towards the NFL Draft for a potential replacement.
Getting one from the free-agent market would be a big mistake.
First off, the pool of players available isn’t anything to shout about. When Alex Smith, Mitchell Trubisky, and Jameis Winston are the most intriguing players on the market, it is a problem.
Much will depend on what they do with Bridgewater, who Matt Rhule stated is “still the quarterback” in his Thursday presser. Just how much one can take from that is up for debate considering what transpired with Cam Newton last year, so it’s a case of wait until a formal outcome has been decided.
However, going the free-agent route isn’t smart. Betting on someone like Trey Lance or Justin Fields has far more upside if the Panthers are intent on moving on from Bridgewater at some stage.