CHARLOTTE — The only of the four major sporting organizations not yet directly impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak, the National Football League saw several reported moves on Tuesday during its legal tampering period.
Less than 24 hours before the free agency signing period was to open, several star players from around the League were reported to be changing teams and cities.
Among them is quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who according to multiple sources, will be making the Carolina Panthers his next team.
NFL Network insider Ian Rappaport reported Bridgewater was finalizing a three-year contract with the Panthers and would replace current quarterback Cam Newton as the team’s starting signal caller.
Bridgewater will stay in the NFC South, moving from his role as a backup quarterback in New Orleans, where he spent the last two years.
After starting and winning five games in 2019 when Drew Brees went out with injury, it’s being reported that Bridgewater’s deal will be around $20 million per season.
Bridgewater’s reported signing with the Panthers and first-year head coach Matt Rhule comes hours after some locker room drama was reported between the organization and Newton.
The Carolina front office said it would allow Newton to seek a trade after nine seasons with the team, but Newton responded by saying he’s never requested to leave the Queen City. The 2015 NFL MVP, Newton said the decision was forced upon him.
Bridgewater, who’s 27 years old, will bring five years of NFL experience to the Panthers as the franchise continues its rebuild.
He was the Minnesota Vikings’ starter from 2014-2017, but missed the 2016 season after sustaining a knee injury. His new home in Charlotte will give him his first starting gig since the 2015 season.
In New Orleans last season, Bridgewater completed 69.7 percent of his passes in nine appearances. He threw nine touchdowns, five shy of tying his career high from 2014 and 2015 with the Vikings.
Among key playmakers that the 6-2, 215-pound quarterback will have at his disposal are wide receiver D.J. Moore and running back Christian McCaffrey.
As the new deal for Bridgewater is expected to be finalized soon, there is no word on what lies ahead for Newton.
Other notable reported moves around the NFL to start the week were quarterback Philip Rivers heading to Indianapolis, tight end Jason Witten going to Oakland, wide receiver Stefon Diggs being traded to Buffalo and quarterback Tom Brady declaring he wouldn’t return to New England.
