The Carolina Panthers signed Teddy Bridgewater to be their starting quarterback, but that doesn't mean they won't look toward the draft for their next quarterback, and they already have a close eye on the 2021 class. Bridgewater signed a three-year contract with the Panthers, but the team can release him after two seasons and they will only have a $5 million in dead cap space.
According to an NFL executive, that contract could have been designed with the idea of taking a quarterback in the 2021 draft class according to a source who spoke to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler:
“The team is high on the 2021 quarterbacks [in the draft] … But Teddy gives them flexibility either way. You don't have to draft a quarterback with him in the fold, but he's a good guy to learn from if you do.”
Trevor Lawrence is expected to be the top quarterback prospect in the draft, but it would probably take quite the tank job by the Panthers to have a chance at him. Justin Fields, Jamie Newman and Kellen Mond are other quarterbacks who are expected to be some of the top options.
A lot on what the team decides to do in the draft next season depends on how well Bridgewater performs this upcoming season. During the 2019 season, Bridgewater threw for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions for the New Orleans Saints.
If Bridgewater has a big season it's going to be hard to draft a quarterback in the first round who will try to push him out of his job. But the Panthers may be preparing for the next era no matter what.
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