Multiple Teams Showing Interest In Trading For Teddy Bridgewater

The Carolina Panthers have a quarterback they hope is the future, but it's not the guy with whom they signed a three-year, $63 million deal back in March of 2020, Teddy Bridgewater. Former New York Jet Sam Darnold is that hope now, leaving Bridgewater looking for a new home.

The former first-round pick has been given permission to seek a trade. The next step is to find a team willing to part with draft capital to bring him in. There are reportedly multiple suitors, but a trade won't happen without a pay cut.

Bridgewater is set to make $17 million as a base salary in 2021. That is too steep for a soon-to-be 29-year-old quarterback with limited upside. In fact, Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network is reporting that those teams interested are viewing Bridgewater as a "really, really good backup."

There's value there.

The Andy Dalton/Dallas pairing last year didn't work out like many had hoped, but it was still seen as a win. Any team hoping for a deep playoff run has to have an effective backup.

Bridgewater can provide that value. He's a veteran No. 2 with plenty of experience, but he's not worth $17 million with $10 million guaranteed, as Rapoport points out. Now it's a matter of seeing where the Louisville product lands.

OutKick writer Matt Loede recently did a piece highlighting five places Bridgewater could end up in 2021. There are a few interesting teams on there, including another NFC South squad. Check it out.

Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.