4 biggest losers of the Carolina Panthers 2021 offseason so far
By Dean Jones
Teddy Bridgewater – Former Carolina Panthers QB
Even though he is no longer on the roster, Teddy Bridgewater is no doubt the biggest loser from the offseason so far. The Carolina Panthers were clearly not impressed with the quarterback’s production in 2020 and made their intentions clear right from the outset about getting someone who could perform better under center moving forward.
The Panthers came extremely close to landing Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions before the Los Angeles Rams swooped with a late offer that shifted the pendulum in their favor.
Carolina’s obvious presence throughout the Deshaun Watson saga was notable and there is a chance a deal could have been struck with the Houston Texans had some serious legal issues not surfaced.
Their pursuit of Sam Darnold was far more successful and the Panthers will now take their chances with the former USC star after agreeing to send three draft picks to the New York Jets in return.
Although Bridgewater was kept informed, he did not take the news well.
The writing was on the wall for the player, who was eventually shipped to the Denver Broncos before the 2021 NFL Draft for nothing more than a sixth-round pick and a dead-cap figure of more than $17 million.
Bridgewater failed to really win anybody over in Carolina.
It wasn’t the easiest of situations to walk into following Cam Newton’s messy release. But the fact is Bridgewater failed to come through for his team when it mattered most.
And he paid the price accordingly.