NFL Rumors: Panthers Turn To Bridgewater, Newton Fires Back

Terry Bridgewater has reportedly been picked to succeed Cam Newton over in Carolina with the Panthers set to sign the 27-year-old quarterback. This comes not long after news came out that the Chicago Bears were already in contract talks with the former backup quarterback from the New Orleans Saints.

Bridgewater was one of the top quarterback prospects with the Saints unable to accommodate two backup quarterbacks for the coming NFL season. Drew Brees remains the starting QB for New Orleans, and the 41-year-old reportedly agreed to a two-year deal, NFL.com reported.

In a previous post, a Brees return was already seen. However, it was also mentioned then that if this happened, New Orleans would have no room for two backup quarterbacks. Between Bridgewater and Tayson Hill, the 27-year-old player was the logical player to let go.

The Saints aided Bridgewater in getting his NFL career back on track. He entered the league in 2014, kicking off his career with the Minnesota Vikings. He also made a stop with the New York Jets before reinventing himself in New Orleans. The Pro Bowler suffered a knee injury in 2016 but miraculously recovered. He started in five games for the Saints last season and proved to everyone that he can be a legitimate NFL starter. He nearly 68 percent of his passes last season for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions.

And it appears the Panthers were keeping tabs on the status of Bridgewater. According to NFL.com, Carolina is moving on from Cam Newton and is finalizing a deal with the 2014 Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year. This development comes not long after reports that Bridgewater was also in contract talks with the Chicago Bears. There was actually a third NFL team interested in his services, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers per Yahoo Sports.

Ironically, the Bucs are the same team heavily pursuing Tom Brady. With the 42-year-old announcing his departure from New England, interest in Bridgewater could be for backup purposes or insurance in the event Tampa Bay fails to come to terms with the three-time NFL MVP.

As for Newton, the 30-year-old was reportedly given permission to seek a trade per the Panthers website. Injuries have kept the 2015 NFL MVP in the sidelines but it appears there is something more to the story. According to USA Today, Newton never asked permission to seek a trade which hints that there is a developing drama behind all of this.

“Stop with the word play!!” Newton commented on social media. “I never asked for it!! There is no dodging this one. I love the Panthers to death and will always love you guys!! Please do not try and play me, or manipulate the narrative and act like I wanted this; you forced me into this!!”