Teddy Bridgewater provides stability for Panthers

The Carolina Panthers aren’t going to win the Super Bowl this season. Yet they can still make significant strides in their new program.

Under first-year head coach Matt Rhule, there are a litany of changes afoot in Charlotte. Star linebacker Luke Kuechly retired in the midst of a brilliant career, before quarterback Cam Newton was released by the team this winter.

Carolina general manager Marty Hurney also traded Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for left tackle Russell Okung, while allowing cornerback James Bradberry to cash in with the New York Giants as a free agent.

Of course, the biggest addition for there Panthers was the three-year, $63 million deal for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who is replacing Newton after his nine seasons with the club. Bridgewater comes over after spending the last two years with the New Orleans Saints. In 2019, Bridgewater started five games and won them all, helping New Orleans earn the NFC South title once again.

Now, Bridgewater has his own team for the second time in his career. The former first-round pick was selected by the Minnesota Vikings in 2014 where he started for the team and made the Pro Bowl in 2015. However, a gruesome leg injury in the summer of ’16 almost ended his career, knocking him out of action for two years.

Back in good health and with a team that believes in him, Bridgewater is prepared to help Carolina navigate a fresh start under Rhule and his revamped roster.

As for Rhule, he talked to reporters on Friday and spoke glowingly about his new quarterback. Per NFL.com:

“The best players in the world bring out the best in their teammates and I can tell you, since free agency started, the amount of the guys that want to come and play with Teddy has nothing to do with me or anybody else,” Rhule said. “They want to be a part of what he’s doing ’cause he brings out the best in people.”

If Bridgewater can galvanize the offense while Rhule implements his new scheme, the Panthers have a chance to be explosive. After all, this is a group with D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel on the outside, and All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey in the backfield.

Carolina won’t be raising the Lombardi Trophy come February, but it could make terrific progress behind Bridgewater in 2020.