NFL Rumors: Broncos, Steelers Interested In Quarterback On Trade Block?

Yet another starting quarterback may be playing for a new team in 2021. After acquiring Sam Darnold from the New York Jets, the Carolina Panthers have reportedly made Teddy Bridgewater available.

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has given Bridgewater permission to seek a trade, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports. The expectation is that Bridgewater will land with a team that is looking for an upgrade at backup quarterback.

Bridgewater went 5-0 as the New Orleans Saints starter in 2019 when Drew Brees was sidelined. That helped him earn a three-year, $63 million contract with Carolina. In his one season as the Panthers’ starter, Bridgewater went 4-11 with 3,733 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a 92.1 passer rating.

The 28-year-old rushed for 279 yards and five scores in 2020.

In trying to determine odds for where Bridgewater might land, PointsBet has made the Denver Broncos the favorites to trade for the quarterback, according to ProFootballTalk. The Broncos have +250 odds to acquire Bridgewater, followed by the Houston Texans (+350) and Pittsburgh Steelers (+600).

The Las Vegas Raiders, Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins have all been given +800 odds.

Denver and Miami make sense as possible suitors, given that Rapoport noted a team might trade for Bridgewater in hopes that he could mentor a young starter. The Broncos still hope Drew Lock is their quarterback of the future. Tua Tagovailoa is poised to be Miami’s top quarterback after making nine starts as a rookie.

Pittsburgh could use an upgrade at the No. 2 quarterback position, considering Ben Roethlisberger’s age and injury history. The Steelers have taken a flier on former first-round pick Dwayne Haskins, who struggled with the Washington Football Team.

Bridgewater would be the latest in a long line of starting quarterbacks that have been traded.

Darnold went from the Jets to the Panthers. The Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions swapped Jared Goff and Matthew Stafford. The Philadelphia Eagles sent Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts to become Philip Rivers’ replacement.

Washington released Alex Smith, who remains unsigned after making eight starts last season. Mitchell Trubisky went from being the Chicago Bears’ starter to the Buffalo Bills’ backup in free agency.

Houston continues to get trade calls about Deshaun Watson, though the team isn't ready to deal its quarterback. Carolina had been considered a top suitor for Watson, whose future remains uncertain as he faces nearly two dozen lawsuits for sexual assault and misconduct.