There are mixed fillings among Panthers' fans with the big signing of Teddy Bridgewater as Cam Newton's replacement. Teddy Bridgewater is not the biggest name, but the Panthers announcing the decision with this signing to move on from Cam is. Some fans are ecstatic to see Cam go while others are passionately appalled. If you are Panthers fan that is worried for the new era, let me assure you that this is a great move for the Panthers. Allow me to explain...
A new era is beginning in Charlotte and sometimes new eras feel awkward. The new NFL is heartbreaking often for us fans because we get attached to the players, especially the core players and personalities just to see them retire, get released, or traded away. How do you think Patriots fans feel right now? Ron Rivera has been the head coach for the Carolina Panthers since 2011! That's almost a decade! Now he's just up the road with the Washington Redskins. Luke Keuchly retires! Greg Olsen is let go, Trai Turner is traded away, Mario Addison lost to the Bills, and sure enough Cam Newton is done in Charlotte. Roughly, this core group defined the Panthers for the decade. And now they are gone! Frankly, it feels bizarre. It feels like a new team entirely. What's left? New uniforms? I don't know if could bare it. On the contrary, the Panthers only made one Super Bowl appearance and even that appearance was an embarrassment. In addition, the Panthers' core is aging, Rivera seemed complacent, and overall the team was trending in the wrong direction. Franchises need new eras and fresh starts. This team needs a spark. And Teddy Bridgewater is part of that spark.
So why Bridgewater? For one, this offense has been building towards a more short to mid-range passing offense relying on big plays by playmakers. DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, and of course Christian McAffrey were drafted to break tackles, make guys miss, and create big plays. An offense that for a while did improve Cam's game, but does not quite match Cam's skillset. And now Cam's physical gifts are most likely depleted. I don't see Cam being a pocket passing quarterback consistent enough to win anymore. Bridgewater fits this style of offense, of creative short to mid-range schemes; getting the playmaker the ball, and allow him to make big plays. Cam has a slow release and struggles with accuracy; not to mention his highly questionable decision making. Bridgewater can read defenses and throw accurate passes. Cam struggles in that department and with the potential of losing his greatest quality of being a power running quarterback, we could see a significant drop.
Teddy Bridgewater is the perfect balance of sustaining an offense with potential of becoming a really good quarterback or at minimum, maintain a functional offense until the Panthers draft a top notch Face of the Franchise. There have been rumors that Carolina could tank this season to grab Clemson's quarterback, Sunshine himself, in next year's draft. Now teams don't play any game to lose, but a Franchise can use current talent to acquire draft picks, make loads of cap room, and position themselves with a top draft pick. Dolphins anyone? I'm a Panthers fan, and I would take one horrible season if it means getting the best quarterback prospect we've had in a long time. All we need to see is the team to buy into Matt Rhule's system and be competitive late in the season, which we saw with the Dolphins and now Miami is rich with draft picks and cap space. Yet, still any team, no matter how horrendous they are, needs good quarterback play to prevent injury, properly scout players already on the team, and give the team a chance to compete. Teddy is that again, and potentially, can be more! He's under a 3 year contract, so it's not a long commitment. If he's great, you resign him to a better deal. If not, by then the Panthers will have drafted their guy. I'm secretly hoping that's not Justin Herbert by the way. With that said, Carolina can now focus on other skilled players in this year's draft.
When Cam was Cam, he was great! 2015 MVP and constantly made electrifying plays. However, there is a lot of doubt after the foot and shoulder injuries he acquired. I hope he returns to form, but it's going to be tough. Regardless, he's not a guy you rebuild with; more like a guy you fill in already having all the pieces. With a new regime comes a new philosophy. The Panthers are making that statement now. Cam is not part of that philosophy in his current state. Teddy is a Bridge if not more to the new era (pun intended). Maybe that's why they picked BRIDGEwater. Who knows. Either way, Teddy did show potential, which is worth taking a look at.
Which leads me to my final point. Do you remember how great Teddy played last year replacing Drew Brees?! After one or two rusty games, which is reasonable, the Saints did not miss a beat. The Saints marched into Seattle and crushed a Super Bowl contending Seattle Seahawks team last year. Teddy Bridgewater was a big part of that. Now sure, Carolina does not have Michael Thomas, but DJ Moore broke out and will continue to get better. Curtis Samuel is an electrifying playmaker. Christian McAffrey anyone?! What did Christian not do last year? I would not be surprised if he started kicking field goals. I would not be surprised if the Panthers add another wide receiver either in free agency or the draft. Greg Olsen is gone, but his age is showing with injury after injury and the Panthers have an upcoming tight end that's going to be a stud in Ian Thomas. Maybe that's bold, but I am confident in Thomas. Teddy finished last season with a 67.9% completion percentage, which is an improvement or Cam. That keeps the ball moving. Finally, Teddy won games keeping the Saints in prime position last year before Drew Brees returned.
Keep in mind, it is a new era and building a team takes time. Be patient and wait to see how the plan shakes out. It's a win-win for the Panthers. It may feel like a break-up, but the time will pass and heal all of our hearts. It's time for the Panthers to win a Super Bowl and many believe that Matt Rhule is the guy to take the franchise to the promise land. When it comes to passing, Teddy Bridgewater is better than Cam now. And if not, then Carolina will be in a great position next offseason to draft Sunshine.
-Jon-Michael Stone
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