Former Saints QB Teddy Bridgewater Under Pressure in Carolina

If Brees retires and Jameis Winston goes elsewhere in the NFL, Taysom Hill remains as the lone quarterback on the Saints roster. Teddy Bridgewater is not receiving full support from the Panthers' brass; if released, could we see a New Orleans reunion?

If Brees retires and Jameis Winston goes elsewhere in the NFL, Taysom Hill remains as the lone quarterback on the Saints roster. Teddy Bridgewater is not receiving full support from the Panthers' brass; if released, could we see a New Orleans reunion?

Sep 27, 2020; Inglewood, California, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (5) wears the name of George Floyd on the back of his helmet against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Chargers 21-16. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Teddy Bridgewater is beloved in New Orleans. He left for another attempt to be a franchise's quarterback. Unfortunately, it seems like his new head coach, general manager, and the owner does not see a future for Bridgewater in Carolina.

My SI/FanNation colleague, Schuyler Callihan of AllPanthers, shares the lack of optimism that Bridgewater will remain the "unquestioned starter" with the Panthers.

It's strange to see how the Panthers have "turned-on" Bridgewater after only one year at the helm. Head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady just completed their first year but haven't faced the same amount of scrutiny as Bridgewater. He is the head coach. He did select Joe Brady and his offensive scheme. So, why the short leash on Bridgewater?

Callihan points to the new general manager, Scott Fitterer, and owner David Tepper as sources of Teddy's pending troubles within the organization. 

Fitterer, former Seahawks assistant general manager, accepted the offer to join Carolina as their new general manager on January 14. His specialty with Seattle was college scouting. Hence, Carolina may view the upcoming NFL Draft as Fitterer's first chance to select the future quarterback. He could also seek to make a trade for a veteran signal-caller that can run Brady's offense.

Callihan said on Bridgewater's situation and the tension within the Panthers organization, "at this point, I don't know that you can really go back and say 'Teddy you're going to be our guy' for the next two years, you know, I think there's a lot of tension... and then all of that fails and I say 'you know what, Teddy, you know, we struck out, but your our guy.'"

For now, this all about rumors and conjectures. Nothing concrete, but by the tone of Fitterer's and Rhule's last media conferences, Teddy has not been guaranteed to be the starter for the season's opener in September, making a possible reunion in New Orleans an intriguing topic of conversation.

Scenarios for Teddy Bridgewater:

• Carolina will either release or trade Bridgewater before June 1st.
• If Drew Brees retires and the Saints cannot come to terms with Jameis Winston, could New Orleans offer Teddy a reunion?
• Chicago, Jacksonville, or the Vikings could trade for Bridgewater.
• Carolina will relent and decide to give Teddy another opportunity to reclaim their confidence.  But if I'm Bridgewater, would this be a healthy environment with the knowledge the Panthers' leadership are lacking support in him as their quarterback?

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Take are look at a few of the headlines surrounding Bridgewater's troubles:

Is Teddy Bridgewater's Time in Carolina Ticking?

Source: (All Panthers)

The Panthers currently have a question mark at the QB position.

Matt Rhule doesn't rule out Panthers drafting a QB, says Teddy Bridgewater needs a 'tremendous offseason'

Source: (cbssports.com)

Carolina owns the eighth pick in the 2021 draft and Teddy Bridgewater has been put on notice.

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer doesn't commit to Teddy Bridgewater

Source: (espn.com)

In his introductory news conference, the new GM played things close to the vest and generally stayed away from discussing specific players.

Panthers send a clear signal they're not satisfied with Teddy Bridgewater

Source: (fansided.com)

Matt Rhule isn't happy that he failed to make the playoffs during his first season with the Panthers. That puts Teddy Bridgewater's job in serious jeopardy.

Matt Rhule not happy with Teddy Bridgewater for fumbling at the goal line - ProFootballTalk

Source: (profootballtalk.nbcsports.com)

Panthers coach Matt Rhule was not happy with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater for a costly fumble in Saturday night’s loss to the Packers. With the Panthers down 14-3 and facing first-and-goal at the 1-yard line, Rhule called for a quarterback sneak. Bridgewater initially got stopped at the line but reached the ball forward, at which point [more]

Are the Carolina Panthers losing confidence in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater?

Source: (wbtv.com)

After their 7th loss this season where the Carolina Panthers had the ball on their final drive with a chance to tie or win, but could not get the job done, you have to wonder is the team losing confidence in quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.

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