The Panthers’ QB depth situation created by Teddy Bridgewater replacing Cam Newton
Cam Newton, who led the team’s quarterback room for the past nine years and holds franchise records in almost every passing (and a few rushing) category, is gone.
What’s next for the Panthers? What’s the plan at quarterback?
On Monday, the day before Newton was released, the team also moved on from Kyle Allen, who started 12 games for Carolina last year, by trading him to Washington for a 2020 fifth-round pick.
Earlier that day, the Panthers agreed to terms with XFL quarterback P.J. Walker on a two-year deal. And that night, the team’s new starter, Teddy Bridgewater, posted a picture of himself signing his new three-year contract.
The quarterback room is now composed of Bridgewater, Walker and last year’s third-round pick Will Grier. Or is the order Bridgewater, Grier and Walker? Let’s talk about that.
Carolina has a clear starting QB
This is Bridgewater’s job. There doesn’t seem to be much doubt about that, but the competition for the backup role will get interesting. Bridgewater spent the past two seasons as the Saints’ backup quarterback, and he has a year of experience with new Panthers offensive coordinator Joe Brady from their time together in New Orleans in 2018. Carolina will likely be using a lot of concepts that originated with the Saints, so Bridgewater, 27, should be somewhat familiar with the new offense.
There are a lot of differences in his game compared to Newton. Bridgewater is not a runner, he has averaged 9.9 rushing yards per game in his career compared to Newton, who has averaged 38.4. It’s not easy to take an overall approach about what to expect from the new quarterback because this will be his first full-time starting opportunity since 2015. Last season, he started five games (5-0) and appeared in nine when Drew Brees was injured. He completed 67.9 percent of his passes over that stretch and threw nine touchdowns to two interceptions. In the games he started, Bridgewater averaged 241 passing yards.
His success, however, came on short throws. Of his 196 passes, 143 of them traveled 9 or fewer yards downfield and his 5.8 air yards per attempt was the lowest by any starting quarterback — a possible sign running back Christian McCaffrey will again be heavily involved in the passing game.
The backup plan
There will be impacts of COVID-19 on the NFL that we can’t yet predict. The length and type of offseason programs that NFL teams will be allowed to conduct is up in the air. One interesting impact is in the quarterback room. Grier is the only player who has no experience with the new coaching staff. Walker played under coach Matt Rhule in college (and many of the other Panthers coaches who spent time at Temple) and Bridgewater has his familiarity with the team’s new play-caller. They even brought in some of Walker’s weapons from college in wide receivers Robby Anderson and Keith Kirkwood. Is Grier at a disadvantage with a condensed offseason?
Walker impressed in the XFL and appeared to be the league’s MVP before it shut down due to the threat of the coronavirus. He threw for 1,338 yards, 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions and led the Houston Roughnecks to a 5-0 start. Grier only played in two NFL regular-season games at the end of the 2019 season once the playoff chase was well out of hand. He exited Week 17 early due to a foot injury and didn’t get much of an opportunity to show what he can do after Allen had won the backup job before the season.
Walker signed a two-year deal worth just over $1.5 million, and Grier is on the second year of his rookie deal. It may depend on if Grier can impress the coaching staff in a limited time.
The Panthers’ future at quarterback
There’s been a lot of talk about a “rebuild.” The Panthers’ veterans — Luke Kuechly, Greg Olsen and Newton — are all officially out the door, and this is a team that is starting over. How do these quarterbacks fit into that? Adding Bridgewater provides the Panthers with some flexibility. They have a solid starter for the time being and an opportunity for younger players to continue to develop behind him.
But if Bridgewater does not work out, for whatever reason, there is nothing stopping the team from drafting a quarterback in the 2021 NFL draft. If the Panthers see someone who they think fits what they are looking to do going forward, drafting someone to learn under Bridgewater for a year could make a lot of sense. If necessary, the team can get out of his contract in 2022 and only have $5 million in dead cap.
It could be that Bridgewater is the team’s quarterback of the future, and the Panthers build around him. Grier and Walker are good backups to have around him. But while the team continues to add Bridgewater’s supporting cast, like the signing of Robby Anderson to a two-year deal Tuesday, they are set up to figure out if he is the team’s next franchise quarterback or a stopgap before they bring in a young face. This quarterback rooms gives Carolina flexibility going forward, even if Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million deal.
Carolina’s offense can be exciting this year if the Panthers are able to fill holes at guard and tight end.
The Observer wants to hear your favorite memory from the Cam Newton era. Share with us something he did off the field, such as a personal anecdote, something you saw him do in the community or your favorite moment meeting him during training camp. We’re open to anything that has stuck with you. Email agetzenberg@charlotteobserver.com with your favorite memory (and any pictures) of Cam.
