In order to facilitate his trade to the Broncos, Teddy Bridgewater agreed to restructure his contract (Twitter link via Mike Klis of 9News). Now, Bridgewater has just one year remaining on his deal, rather than two.
By truncating the three-year, $63MM deal he signed last year, Bridgewater has given the Broncos extra flexibility beyond 2021. Meanwhile, the Broncos also got the Panthers to pick up $7MM of his $10MM guarantee. Between the remaining $3MM and Bridgewater’s forthcoming $1.5MM salary, they’ll be paying him just $4.5MM — a reasonable price for a backup quarterback who may wind up supplanting Drew Lock as the starter. As Klis notes, it’s a fraction of what Andy Dalton got ($10.5MM) from the Bears earlier this year.
Bridgewater struggled in his first year with the Panthers, but he was one of the league’s hottest free agents just ~14 months ago. In 2019, Bridgewater went 5-0 as the Saints’ starter, filling in for Brees while he was sidelined. And, of course, he was one of the NFL’s brightest young stars before his devastating injury in Minnesota.
The Louisville alum started 28 games for the Vikings from 2014-15, averaging 3,075 yards, 14 touchdowns, and ten interceptions per season. Among the 30 QBs who attempted at least 500 passes in those two seasons, Bridgewater ranked 22nd in passer rating, 25th in adjusted net yards per attempt, and 29th in touchdown percentage.
Not a bad deal for a backup
This is a slam dunk for Denver
He completed 69% of his passes for 3700 yds. That’s not struggling. That’s Teddy Bridgewater. If the Panthers thought they were getting Jeff Blake, they were watching the wrong tape. This is an excellent move for the Broncos. The fan base should be excited, they have a GM with clue.
I agree, his interceptions were a little high last year but he is a solid stop gap QB. I dont get why the panthers pivoted so quickly
3 million in cap savings this year why they pivoted and cleared 2022 cap space
They’re most likely going to sell out on trying to develop Darnold. I think Darnold as a fundamental QB has more to offer the Panthers, at a lower cost, with more upside in his game if they can build a good team around him.
Teddy just didn’t fit the mold on developing Darnold. I definitely think they could’ve gotten more for him, but that contract is an albatross when you take in the plan for Carolina’s QB room.
Seriously. This is not the first time PFR has said this, too. He did all of that *without* the Panthers #1 offensive weapon (McCaffrey) and with an underwhelming and undersized WR corps, plus nothing at TE. He would have had 4,000 yards passing if he didn’t miss Week 13.
If you look at his career stats, he performed almost exactly like you would have expected, possibly better considering the Panthers’ weak run game.
I wonder about the Panthers. Matt Rhule seems solid, but someone has definitely been leaking the idea that they were unhappy with Bridgewater. I know he didn’t make the difference in several close games, but overall you got what you paid for. I also don’t understand the fuss over his contract. 21 mil for a starting QB is what the market calls for. I suspect a heavy handed, impatient owner at work.
I’m sorry but the Panthers WRs last year were not underwhelming. Anderson, Moore, & Samuels were a good trio of WRs. They may have been a little undersized, height wise for Moore & Samuel, but both of them play like RBs. Teddy was decent but they are better off with Darnold, the cap relief, and the 6th.
Great point RTC, feel like they leave out the CMC only playing in 3 games
They’re excited? They will at best finish in 2nd place and lose in the first round of the playoffs I wouldn’t throw a party over that.
But this is his first year as GM. I’m saying they should be excited to have a GM with a plan, not necessarily about the upcoming season. Although I think they will be competitive this year. You never know. For whatever reason the Chiefs have struggled with the Raiders the last two seasons and I think the Broncos are closer to being a complete team than the Raiders.
He was awful in the 4th quarter last season. He couldn’t close or perform in the clutch. Carolina identified that he doesn’t have the traits to be a Super Bowl winning QB and moved on.
All true, but I think they should have made that determination before signing him. Pretty well everyone else did.
Lol watch the all 22 on Teddy, he’s a fringe starter. You’d be insane to think he starts every game for the Broncos next year.
And did that without a good OL, running game or TE room. Their offense was basically Teddy and the wideouts, with an assist from Taylor Moton.
I would have loved to see what he could have accomplished with McCaffrey back and an improved (one can hope) OL.
What a steal for those Broncos.
yeah man
One year for Justin Fields to learn from Teddy before taking over…makes sense to me!
So when did Teddy get most of his $63 million dollars? No mention specifically of the cap charge. SMH in utter confusion…..
This year and last
Thanks! I guess the lack of cap charge is throwing me off…..