Teddy Bridgewater went from QB1 to trade bait with the arrival of Sam Darnold in Carolina and has permission to shop himself to other teams.
According to multiple reports, the Panthers informed Bridgewater he can seek a trade following the acquisition of Darnold, the No. 3 pick in the 2018 draft, from the New York Jets on Monday.
A former first-round pick on his third NFL team, Bridgewater signed in free agency with Carolina last March and started 15 games for the Panthers. The team went 4-11 in those games and holds the eighth overall pick in the 2021 draft.
Bridgewater’s $23 million cap hit for the 2021 season and his pedestrian production could make a trade challenging.
Few teams who aren’t in position to draft a quarterback in the first round this season are unsettled at quarterback, but the Denver Broncos and New York Giants are thought to be considering veteran options.
The 28-year-old has appeared in 59 games since he entered the NFL out of Louisville in 2014.
The Panthers traded a package of draft picks for Darnold, who has two years, $23.6 million remaining on his rookie deal.
Previously a starter for the Minnesota Vikings and the primary backup to Drew Brees in New Orleans, Bridgewater replaced Cam Newton — who was released to avoid a cap hit over $20 million last spring — in head coach Matt Rhule’s first season with the team.
Bridgewater had 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 2021.
Read More: Teddy Bridgewater seeking trade from Panthers: 3 best landing spots
–Field Level Media