CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ The new era in Panthers football is beginning
The team is finalizing a three-year deal with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to come to Carolina from New Orleans, according to a league source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. The exact terms have not yet been agreed upon.
The move comes just hours after the team announced that it was seeking a trade for quarterback Cam Newton, who has been with the team for the past nine years and was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft.
Bridgewater, 27, spent the past two seasons as the backup in New Orleans behind Drew Brees. During the 2018 season, he worked closely with current Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who was an offensive assistant with the Saints at the time. The new Panthers quarterback is certainly familiar with the NFC South. During his time behind Brees, Bridgewater started six games going 5-1, including going 5-0 in 2019 when Brees was injured. His one loss as a starter was to Kyle Allen and the Panthers in Week 17 of the 2018 season.
He was originally drafted 32nd overall in the 2014 draft by the Vikings out of Louisville. Bridgewater spent four years in Minnesota, but his time there as the starter was impacted by him missing the 2016 season with an ACL injury and other structural damages suffered just before the season began. His injury impacted his availability during the 2017 season as well and he ultimately became a free agent. After signing with the Jets in free agency that offseason, the Saints ultimately traded for him before the 2018 season began.
As a starter, Bridgewater is 22-12. He has completed 65.2% of his passes, thrown 38 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions and has been sacked 97 times.
Bridgewater will be the first new starting quarterback the Panthers have had since Newton was drafted nine years ago. Even if the Panthers do not find a trade partner, this move indicates Newton is on the way out. His acquisition also reflects that the Panthers are not quite in an actual rebuild mode, but their plan for 2020 will continue to unfold as the offseason progresses.
