NFL Quarterback Power Rankings 2020: Patrick Mahomes is head of the class

After leading the New Orleans Saints to a 5-0 record while Drew Brees recovered from an injury early in the 2019 season, Teddy Bridgewater recently signed a three-year, $63 million deal with the Panthers. Bridgewater becomes the leader of a team entering total rebuild mode under new head coach Matt Rhule.

During his first two seasons in the league, Bridgewater’s career followed a similar path to Mitchell Trubisky’s. After a disappointing rookie season, Bridgewater made the Pro Bowl because his team won a lot of games, not because of his mediocre statistical production. However, a devastating training camp knee injury in 2016 set Bridgewater’s career back several seasons.

Bridgewater left Minnesota after four seasons and spent the last two years in New Orleans, where he arguably manufactured the best five-game stretch of his career. However, Bridgewater experienced success under an experienced coaching staff and on one of the most talented teams in the NFL. His situation in Carolina is much different.

Carolina’s offense features the best running back in the NFL in Christian McCaffrey and a developing borderline Pro Bowler in D.J. Moore. However, the rest of Carolina’s weapons leave something to be desired. Robby Anderson and Curtis Samuel both disappear in tougher games, and the team lacks a notable tight end. The offensive line is also a problem that will impact Bridgewater significantly this coming season.

While Bridgewater thrived in New Orleans this past season, he’ll struggle to get anywhere near that production in 2020.