The Carolina Panthers made some massive changes at the quarterback position this offseason. Cam Newton has been released and replaced by Teddy Bridgewater, Kyle Allen was traded and replaced by P.J. Walker and Will Grier’s position seems to be tenuous at best after a bombed rookie season.
Whether or not the team will pick a quarterback in this week’s draft is a hot topic of speculation. While Bridgewater is definitely the starter for now, not everyone is convinced he’s the franchise QB of the future. Include former Panthers great Steve Smith among them. Here’s what he said about Carolina’s quarterback situation on ESPN’s First Take.
In an interview on @FirstTake, Steve Smith said Teddy Bridgewater is the “right now QB”. Steve Smith said make no mistake the @Panthers will draft the future QB at some point!#KeepPounding
— Fifth Quarter Carolina Panthers (@FQPanthers) April 21, 2020
We’re pretty sure teams aren’t supposed to get prospects’ social security numbers, but Smith is right about Bridgewater.
Teddy’s previous experience with Joe Brady makes him as good of a fit to run the Panthers’ offense as any quarterback not named Drew Brees. However, his contract indicates the team isn’t sure about making him their QB1 for the long run.
Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million deal that qualifies as a reasonable bargain for a respectable starter in this era. If they really believed Bridgewater was their guy they would have given him more than three years, though.
So, don’t be shocked if the Panthers pull the trigger and draft a quarterback. Trouble is, there are only two prospects who are truly safe bets when it comes to finding success at the next level. Since Carolina can’t trade up for Joe Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa probably won’t fall to No. 7, it puts the team in a bind if they’re set on taking a QB.
The front office has shown interest in two others, though. Marty Hurney flew out to see Justin Herbert throw at his Pro Day and the team has reportedly done some “serious research” on Utah State’s Jordan Love. They both have attributes that could help them become quality quarterbacks in the NFL. They also both have some serious limitations.
If the Panthers are going to gamble on a QB prospect this year, we think they should wait until at least the third round and then roll the dice on Oklahoma’s Jalen Hurts. Otherwise, they might as well wait and try again in 2021.
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