One offseason move each NFL team must make

Carolina Panthers-Sign Teddy Bridgewater

It was declared to be a minor, arthroscopic procedure, but Cam Newton has now had offseason surgery on his throwing shoulder in two of the last three offseasons. His status for the start of the 2019 is somewhat up in the air, but a potential worst-case scenario put out there by Panthers’ owner David Tepper where he misses entire season always seemed like a couple steps too far.

That being said, the Panthers need a better backup plan than Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, who each started a game after Newton was shut down with his shoulder problem this past season. Bridgewater may be able to sign somewhere this offseason and compete for a starting job, but he has ties to Panthers’ offensive coordinator Norv Turner from their time together with the Minnesota Vikings. Turner was one of the lead advocates for Bridgewater in the Vikings’ organization when they drafted him, and Bridgewater started 28 games in Turner’s two full seasons as offensive coordinator in Minnesota.

On the idea there’s any doubt about Newton’s status for Week 1 next season, Carolina has to have signing a veteran backup on their offseason agenda. It doesn’t have to be Bridgewater, but the fit and familiarity with Turner’s offense stands out here.