4 QB starting options if the Panthers move on from Deshaun Watson
By Dean Jones
Teddy Bridgewater – Carolina Panthers
Like it or not, the Carolina Panthers might decide to keep faith with Teddy Bridgewater if they fail to get their hands on Deshaun Watson. This wouldn’t be the most popular move the front office has ever made, but considering how much money is remaining on the former Louisville standout’s deal, they might not have any other choice.
Missing out entirely on every possible target is not a good look.
It would make for a pretty awkward situation if Bridgewater walked into OTAs as the undisputed starter considering what’s transpired this offseason. This makes the three-year, $63 million deal with a $15 million signing bonus and $33 million guaranteed allocated to the signal-caller last year even more bizarre in hindsight.
A large section of Carolina’s fanbase has seen enough of Bridgewater. His limitations are there for all to see and going 0-8 in game-winning or tying drives in 2020 cost the Panthers an unlikely playoff spot in the first year of Matt Rhule’s reign.
Yes, it’s just that simple.
Bridgewater didn’t have Christian McCaffrey alongside him in the backfield for 13 games and his pass protection was suspect outside of stud right tackle Taylor Moton. But there’s no getting away from the fact he should have done more with the weapons around him.
Carolina had four players go over 1,000 all-purpose yards and they finished 5-11. Bridgewater would be on the shortest of leashes if he was given a reprieve and the Panthers’ aspirations for progress would arguably regress as a result.