The fact that Teddy Bridgewater is still playing in the NFL is almost a miracle. One that the Carolina Panthers would like to be part of this season. You need someone to lead you into a new era without your former hero Cam Newton. They could hardly have chosen a better one than Bridgewater for this job.
The former Louisville Cardinal is not just an excellent quarterback, as he recently proved for two years as a backup with the New Orleans Saints. As one of the really “good guys” in the NFL, he is also loved by fellow players, respected by opponents and is an absolute inspiration for everyone around because of his career so far. So exactly what you want as a face for your franchise.
It was August 30, 2016, at the Minnesota Vikings Training Camp, when Teddy Bridgewater, then one of the most promising young NFL quarterbacks, made a wrong move and went down. In one of the worst injuries in recent years, he dislocated his knee and tore several structural areas in this area of the body next to the cruciate ligament. According to the reports that followed, it was only thanks to the rapid deployment of the team doctors that he did not bleed to death on the spot.
Teddy Bridgewater’s comeback was questionable for a long time
Afterwards it is not immediately clear whether he can keep his leg at all or whether it has to be amputated. “It looked like a war injury,” the operating surgeon Dan Cooper describes afterwards. “Almost everything was torn, there was actually nothing left.” Bridgewater worries about his future in several operations for hours. Hope is increased and soon he can face his long journey back to the NFL.
Cooper believes that he hits it at all. “Maybe 20 to 25 percent of NFL players could have come back from this injury,” said the doctor. “People have no idea what a feat it was for Teddy not to give up.” The effort will initially take about two years, but Bridgewater has other ideas.
Back to the NFL elite via New York and New Orleans
At the end of the 2017 season, he comes back for a few plays in the Vikings Huddle, many of his teammates have tears in his eyes at that moment. After a strong season preparation in the following season at the New York Jets, the Saints bring him to New Orleans and he subsequently shines as Drew Brees’ backup.
In 2019 he wins all five of his starts, including in Chicago and Seattle, throws nine touchdowns (with only two interceptions) and ends the year with a QB rating of 99.1. Teddy is back, there’s no doubt about that. That’s what the Carolina Panthers think, who are looking for a new start with Cam Newton after nine years.
The legacy of “Superman” Cam Newton awaits in Carolina
Bridgewater in Carolina is following in great footsteps, there is no doubt about that. Especially not after the Panthers gave him a three-year, $ 63 million contract. “I am well aware of the special situation,” says Bridgewater calmly. “I’ll just be myself. It worked well in New Orleans when I stepped in for Drew Brees.”
His new head coach Matt Rhule has little doubt that Bridgewater will master the task. “The best players in the world also get the best out of their teammates,” says the 45-year-old trainer. “He lives football and the boys let him carry him away.” If his teammates look at Teddy Bridgewater’s eyes in the huddle and remember what he’s been through, it’s going to be hard for them not to be 100% committed to their quarterback and job.
Christian McCaffrey and Co. are looking forward to Teddy Bridgewater
These players include running back superstar Christian McCaffrey and wide receiver DJ Moore, who will make Bridgewater’s debut a lot easier. His game, which is geared towards touch and decision-making power, also fits perfectly with the newly installed attack system of offensive coordinator Joe Brady, who already enabled acclimatization as an offensive assistant at that time in New Orleans Bridgewater.
He knows very well that the comeback as a starter in Bridgewater’s NFL is a real miracle. Even if he doesn’t like to see it that way. “Life is a race for each of us,” he says. “I just stumbled and fell on my track. Now I’m back and the race is not over. And I’m really happy about that.”
Not just you, Teddy …
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