The Carolina Panthers have traded veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos for a sixth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Panthers confirmed the move Wednesday afternoon.
It does not come as a surprise to see the Panthers move on from Bridgewater after they acquired Sam Darnold from the New York Jets. As for the Broncos, this move likely takes them out of the hunt for either Justin Fields or Trey Lance in the first-round of the draft. However, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that this trade does not take the Broncos out of the quarterback market.
Broncos general manager George Paton wasn't shy about bringing in competition for now third-year quarterback Drew Lock when he spoke last week. Paton specifically said that the team was actively looking to add a quarterback via the first round, trade or free agency. He also didn’t commit to Lock as the team’s Week 1 starter for this upcoming season, but did say that former Mizzou quarterback is trending in the right direction.
Last season, Lock had both good and bad moments under center for Denver. He completed 57.3% of his passes for 2,933 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. Bridgewater just signed a three-year deal last offseason with the Panthers to be their starting quarterback.
The veteran quarterback was a solid option under center, but left a lot to be desired. The former first-round pick competed 69.1% of his passes for 3,733 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.