Panthers OC Joe Brady on Teddy Bridgewater: ‘He lights up the room’

Teddy Bridgewater has a tough act to follow as the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton was not only the only league MVP in franchise history, he was a gifted athlete with a magnetic personality, which never hurts when you’re trying to lead an NFL locker room.

Just because Bridgewater is known as a cerebral, game manager type of quarterback doesn’t mean he can’t rally guys behind him, though.

Speaking with reporters in a Zoom call today, offensive coordinator Joe Brady said Bridgewater lights up the room. He also complimented him for his high football IQ and says he’s been leading some virtual meetings.

Brady on Bridgewater: “He lights up the room, he’s intelligent. His football IQ is through the roof”
Adds they’ve been able to let Bridgewater run some of the meetings as well because of the way he can communicate the understanding of the offense. #Panthers

— Myles Simmons (@MylesASimmons) June 18, 2020

Bridgewater started five games for the Saints last season when Drew Brees was out with a thumb injury. He went 5-0 in those games, totaling 1,384 passing yards, nine touchdowns, two interceptions and a career-best 99.1 passer rating. That brought Bridgewater’s record as an NFL starter to 22-12.

How well Bridgewater does in 2020 will depend a great deal on the schematic genius of Brady, as well as the pass protection he gets from Carolina’s remodeled offensive line. Last season, the Panthers tied the Dolphins for 58 sacks allowed – the most in the league.