The Carolina Panthers are expected to move on from starter Teddy Bridgewater this year after an underwhelming 2020 performance. The team has already tried to package him in a trade to the Detroit Lions and has been involved in every other veteran QB discussion this offseason.
Even the best laid plans often fail though, especially in the NFL. While they might try their darndest to acquire an upgrade, there is a possibility that the Panthers won’t be able to and Bridgewater will wind up starting again Week 1 this coming season.
Here’s the scenario for our latest 2021 mock draft: the 49ers trade for Gardner Minshew and Kyle Shanahan unlocks his star potential, the Seahawks get everyone fired by dealing Russell Wilson for Sam Darnold and the Texans stubbornly hang onto Deshaun Watson, taking all the veterans who might get traded this year off the table.
On draft day, the dice just don’t fall Carolina’s way. General manager Scott Fitterer does his best to move up from No. 8 overall for a QB, but nobody bites. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are gone with the first two picks, the Falcons take Trey Lance at No. 4 and the Eagles make Jalen Hurts’ life very awkward by picking Justin Fields at No. 6.
That takes all four of the top QB prospects off the board, leaving the Panthers with only a couple imperfect choices: take a chance on a second-tier quarterback like Mac Jones or stick with Bridgewater and try again in 2022. Here’s how it played out.
