The Carolina Panthers just gave Teddy Bridgewater a 3-year, $63 million contract. It's a sizable commitment to a quarterback with a relatively short track record, and an investment that runs totally counter to everything else the team is doing this offseason. Which seems to be a tank job.
The Panthers fell apart last year, dropping eight straight games to close the season after a 5-3 start. They fired Ron Rivera, watched Kyle Allen implode, and quickly gave up on third-rounder Will Grier. And now they're overhauling their defense, if dumping the entire starting roster can be called an overhaul.
Luke Kuechly retired, and that was just the first domino to fall. He's one of eight defensive starters from last season going on their way, either by being cut or otherwise shown the door. Lots of these guys can still play, at least based on the contracts they're signing. Returning starters, all three of them, are in bold.
| CAROLINA DEFENSIVE STARTERS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | 2019 Starter | 2020 | Details |
| DT | Gerald McCoy | Cowboys | 3 years, $18M |
| DT | Vernon Butler | Bills | 2 years, $16M |
| DE | Mario Addison | Bills | 3 years, $30M |
| ILB | Luke Kuechly | Retired | |
| ILB | Shaq Thompson | Panthers! | |
| OLB | Bruce Irvin | Seahawks | Undisclosed |
| OLB | Brian Burns | Panthers! | |
| CB | James Bradberry | Giants | 3 years, $45M |
| CB | Ross Cockrell | UFA | |
| S | Tre Boston | Panthers! | |
| S | Eric Reid | Cut | |
Not all of these departures will prove worth the money they were given. And Carolina will surely put 11 defensive players on the field.
But it looks pretty likely this defense will struggle, giving up lots of yards and points. So Bridgewater, DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, Christian McCaffrey and new starting tight end Ian Thomas, as a for instance, are going to have to be busy. This team won't be winning any defensive struggles.
--Andy Richardson