What are some glaring problems awaiting the Carolina Panthers if they decide to move forward with Teddy Bridgewater on the roster in 2021?
There was a growing thought that the Carolina Panthers might be forced to go with Teddy Bridgewater as their starter once again. They failed to Matthew Stafford, there was little in the way of quality on the free-agent market, and the chances of landing one of the top college prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft was shrinking by the day.
Not exactly what the Panthers had in mind. This preparation period began with dreams of Deshaun Watson and ended with the team trading for Sam Darnold from the New York Jets.
Now there was every chance the former Louisville star could have gotten better in Year 2 with the team. The pass protection should be better – especially if Carolina somehow gets their hands on Penei Sewell – and there is also the small matter of Christian McCaffrey making a full return to health after turning out just three times in 2020.
But the arrival of Darnold leaves things looking bleak where Bridgewater is concerned.
Most fans saw enough of Bridgewater to know that he’ll only take the Panthers so far. His clear failure to get things done down the stretch played a significant role in Carolina going 5-11 for a second straight year and now Darnold is on the scene, it is highly unlikely the marquee free-agent signing last year is still around.
This is the position Carolina put itself in when they gave Bridgewater a three-year deal with no real out until 2020. But what are some glaring problems that would come with the player being on the roster by the time OTAs and training camp roll around?