Report: Panthers offered Bridgewater, 1st-round pick to Lions for Stafford

The Carolina Panthers were among the teams offering a package to the Detroit Lions in an attempt to land quarterback Matthew Stafford.

The Panthers offered quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, the eighth overall pick in the 2021 draft, and a fifth-round pick for Stafford, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing league sources.

Detroit ultimately opted instead for a package from the Los Angeles Rams that included QB Jared Goff, first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, and a 2021 third-rounder.

The Lions actually began trade talks with the Rams by inquiring about defensive tackle Aaron Donald, the three-time Defensive Player of the Year, Schefter reports.

As for Carolina, the franchise is still in the market for a quarterback after Bridgewater struggled at periods during the 2020 season and received a lukewarm endorsement from head coach Matt Rhule following the campaign.

"Teddy has to have a tremendous offseason," Rhule said in January.

The Panthers could target a signal-caller in the draft, but they are also rumored to be involved in Deshaun Watson trade discussions.