Report: Panthers give Bridgewater permission to seek trade
The Carolina Panthers have given quarterback Teddy Bridgewater permission to talk to other teams to potentially facilitate a trade, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
The Panthers remain open to Bridgewater returning following their acquisition of Sam Darnold, as general manager Scott Fitterer suggested Monday.
"We're going to find the right place (for Bridgewater), whether it's here or wherever it may be, we'll figure things out, contract-wise as well," Fitterer said.
Bridgewater carries a $22.95-million cap hit in 2021 after he signed a three-year, $63-million free-agent deal last offseason. Carolina will carry $10 million in dead money if it trades Bridgewater and $20 million if it releases him prior to June 1, per Spotrac.
The veteran ranked 17th in QBR and 22nd in passer rating during his first year as a starter since 2015. Bridgewater threw for 3,733 yards and 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while posting a 4-11 record. He also recorded a career-high 69.1% completion percentage.
The Panthers traded a sixth-round pick in this year's draft and 2022 second- and fourth-round selections to the New York Jets for Darnold.