The 2021 NFL draft is mere hours away, but the scenarios keep changing at the top of the board. The latest bit of news to — potentially — impact how the first round plays out comes from the Denver Broncos and the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers, having acquired Sam Darnold via a trade with the New York Jets a few weeks ago, have traded last year’s starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos.
The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero was first with the news, reporting that the Panthers are receiving a sixth-round pick in exchange for Bridgewater. Furthermore, the teams are splitting the salary due the veteran quarterback in the year ahead:
Carolina will pay a portion of Bridgewater’s 2021 compensation as part of a restructured contract to finalize the deal to Denver, which now has competition for Drew Lock … and options with the No. 9 pick. https://t.co/R7ryftKY6T
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 28, 2021
So, what does this mean for all the involved parties, as well as the rest of the league?
