The Carolina Panthers made the surprising move to release longtime caller Cam Newton earlier this offseason, and will advance with a quarterback who started last season in support of a divisional rival. Freshman head coach Matt Rhule did not throw his hat into the ring for Tom Brady, did not choose to sign Jameis Winston or shoot in the draft. Instead, he went out and grabbed former New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
The 27-year-old intervened for an injured Drew Brees after the second game of the 2019 season and won five consecutive games for the Saints. In nine games in total last year, Bridgewater passed for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and just two interceptions. It could have been one of the most underrated quarterback options in what was a loaded free agency class. According to Rhule, Bridgewater is not a placeholder or bridge for someone like Will Grier or another future recruiting team – it’s exactly what they were looking for.
“Teddy, for us, is exactly what we want,” said Rhule, through Joe Person of The Athletic. “I think this offense in general, when you look at New Orleans, that iteration of it, where Joe (Brady) first learned it, is not necessarily a vertical passing game, both on the field and in a trap. – y-run, below, matchup passing game.
“Obviously you have to be able to throw the ball downfield. Teddy has a great arm. I can remember that he threw what I would call a launch path 48 yards down the right sideline to the 12 yard line against someone. So certainly he has the arm strength to do it. “
Bridgewater will once again be in the saddle as the No. 1 quarterback for the first time since he suffered a devastating knee injury with the Minnesota Vikings prior to the 2016 season. Initially, there was concern that Bridgewater would be healthy enough again. like to play football again, but he has solved those problems with what he has been able to do on the field.
A couple of reasons why Rhule likes Bridgewater: He has demonstrated the ability to master different offenses and also to throw the ball deep. Rhule even hinted that there could be more shots on the field since Carolina has some intriguing widths.
“I think one of the best things that is one of the strengths of our team is that Robby Anderson is a deep game threat. Curtis Samuel is a deep game threat. DJ Moore is a deep game threat,” said Rhule, through the Panthers Official Website. “So we feel like we have the power to take advantage of the ball downfield, and we know that Teddy can do that.”
With people like Bridgewater, Anderson, Samuel, Moore, and Christian McCaffrey, perhaps the 2020 season won’t be as painful for the Panthers as most predict it will be. Rhule is certainly known for his prowess as a rebuilder, and if he says Bridgewater is exactly what he wants, he should be inclined to believe him.
