April 7: Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that “multiple teams” are interested in trading for Bridgewater (video link). Those clubs are looking at Bridgewater as a top-flight backup and mentor for a younger passer already on (or soon to be on) the roster. Bridgewater, of course, will need to rework his contract to facilitate a deal, and Rapoport — who expects a trade to happen — says the 28-year-old passer could reduce his 2021 pay to a fully-guaranteed $10MM.
April 6: After trading for Sam Darnold, the Panthers have granted Teddy Bridgewater permission to talk with other teams and potentially facilitate a trade (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The Panthers remain open to keeping the veteran, but they’ll allow him the chance to find a better opportunity elsewhere.
[RELATED: Panthers Trade For Jets’ Sam Darnold]
Bridgewater has two years to go on the three-year, $63MM deal he inked with Carolina just last year. The 28-year-old (29 in November) completed 69% of his passes last year with just 15 touchdown passes. The Panthers have chosen Darnold’s upside over another year with the one-time Vikings star, but he still profiles as a solid stopgap starter or a quality backup for other teams.
It would make little sense for the Panthers to keep Bridgewater — especially at his current price tag. He’s set to earn base salaries of $17MM and $20MM while Darnold is tied to the club through 2022 on his $18.9MM fifth-year option.
The Broncos are one club that could make sense for Bridgewater, especially given GM George Paton’s history with the QB. It’s also possible that the Saints could explore a reunion, adding to the Jameis Winston–Taysom Hill competition.
If WFT didn’t already have four QBs (Fitzpatrick, Allen, Heinicke, Montez), I’d think they were a good spot. Maybe Denver, but I would expect them to draft a QB. New England?
rct I’m not sure Teddy is a clear upgrade over a healthy Cam. Patriots seem to be betting that Cam will be better this year with an improved roster around him and more time in their system. Teddy is ok, but he’d just be another bridge QB until they find their long term guy, they already signed Cam for that.
Was Cam hurt last year? I also think Cam will play better this year, but in 2020, Bridgewater was unquestionably the better QB. There were plenty of times where Cam practically threw the ball straight into the ground.
Cam caught Covid and had several 100+ yard games. It’s painful to watch. Particularly the Arizona Cardinals game that we somehow won.
We? Lol… Stop It
I don’t expect Denver to draft a QB because at 9 the QB that they would draft would be a project and why would they draft a QB that is behind Lock. Paton has already said that he’s looking for a QB with NFL experience that would fit on the Broncos to give Lock the competition. So the way I see it, it would have to be one of these 3 QBs Teddy Bridgewater, Alex Smith or Gardner Minshew.
When you have 2 QB’s, you have no QB’s, when you have 3, 4, or 5 QB’s, you’re beyond fixing, lol.
What a great article, I especially loved reading it when Sam Robinson wrote it first.
Come to the Patriots! All we need is decent QB play. Especially with all our new weapons.
I never understood the whole “player has been give permission to seek a trade” thing. Isn’t that what the GM is for? The only reason I can see for doing it is for the player to see for himself that no one is interested in him
Especially with the draft afoot, an agent can easily lead the same conversations. Saves time and resources for the GM when they aren’t likely to get significant compensation.
I’d let the player seek a trade. Opens his eyes to what the league thinks of him rather than me the GM being stuck with a disgruntled player because he overvalues himself.
TJECK109 –
I believe I eluded to that in my original post, but thanks for repeating it
Sources: Multiple teams interested in Teddy teaching the locker room how to “Choppa Style” after a solid game of holding the clipboard and planning postgame team meals.
Broncos would be perfect.
Bridgewater is clearly a backup. You won’t win a thing with him as your starter.
Surprised Bridgewater is considering playing for $10 million next year when he would earn $20 million just for getting cut. If Bridgewater sits on the bench in Carolina all year, the Panthers would still owe him a guaranteed $5 million for next year. Hence guaranteed $25 million vs conditional $10 million? This is nonsense. Loves football or not, no one walks out on a ledge like this to potentially lose $15 million.
Panthers made their bed and can lie in it. Otherwise they can negotiate a cut and settlement with Bridgewater (or subsidise his salary this year themselves after the trade).
Ya know the dead money that gets attached to the cap,isn’t necessarily money the player will get if he’s cut.The 15m signing bonus money is money he got when he signed,it just got spread out for the cap.
He won’t get 20 if he’s cut,he’ll get the guaranteed salary that’s remaining,and that’s 10m.But Carolina is also saying they’re ok with keeping him,so assuming he’ll just get it by being cut might not be a gamble Bridgewater would wanna take,if he don’t wanna be a backup for Darnold.
Houston may need a QB.
Those that say you won’t win with a guy like Bridgewater forget that dudes like Trent Dilfer and Brad Johnson existed. If you build the team, you can win with an okay QB. Riverboat Ron is trying to go that route right now.
Gezz the dollar amount for what has been shown so far is my problem. It’s put up or shut up time for him. And he is way too expensive for a back up….. good luck moving him
Jets could use him