5 NFL teams that should tank for Trevor Lawrence

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 13: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers sits in the pocket during the second quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the LSU Tigers at the Mercedes Benz Superdome on January 13, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The LSU Tigers topped the Clemson Tigers, 42-25. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 22: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers runs with the ball while defended by Clayton Geathers of the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 22, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

4. Carolina Panthers

Another team that needs a long-term answer at quarterback and could be in play for Trevor Lawrence is the Carolina Panthers. Cam Newton’s release ended an era in Charlotte, with new coach Matt Rhule coming in with Teddy Bridgewater as his starter.

The Panthers gave Bridgewater a healthy three-year, $63 million deal, but it is essentially a two-year commitment. Bridgewater can be cut after the 2021 season with just a $5 million cap hit, which would be just enough time to allow him to bridge the gap from Newton to Lawrence.

Being able to draft Lawrence would be a massive home run for the franchise, which needs to find its next elite passer now that Newton’s career was disrupted by injuries. Bridgewater is a fine quarterback you can win with in the NFL, but his upside isn’t as high as Lawrence’s in the long run.

The NFC South is also a beast of a division that the Panthers have no shot at winning, so going for Lawrence could be the savvier long-term play with the other three teams featuring win-now quarterbacks. Lawrence would also hold regional appeal due to his Clemson background, which could help significantly in the ticket sales department.

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