The Carolina Panthers’ decision to release former NFL MVP Cam Newton so late in the free-agent process has drawn criticism around the football world.
It came earlier this week, mere days after Carolina signed fellow veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to replace Newton.
Bridgewater took part in a remote press conference with reporters on Thursday. He made it perfectly clear that he knows the situation at hand as it relates to replacing the greatest quarterback in Panthers franchise history.
The Drew Brees reference is interesting in that Teddy posted a 5-0 record in his stead as a member of the New Orleans Saints last season.
Bridgewater will ultimately be compared to prime Cam Newton in Carolina. That much is already known. While the stats don’t do him justice (38 touchdown passes in 34 career starts), Bridgewater does boast a 22-12 record. Newton lost his last eight starts as a member of the Panthers.
As we saw with Jimmy Garoppolo and the 49ers last season, it’s not all about individual success. Bridgewater has proven to be a winner. That should translate to success under first-year head coach Matt Rhule moving forward.