Fansided

5 NFL teams Trey Lance could star on in 2021

By Nicholas McGee

Trey Lance, North Dakota State Bison. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images)
Trey Lance, North Dakota State Bison. (Photo by Sam Wasson/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Matt Rhule fo the Carolina Panthers speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Matt Rhule
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – FEBRUARY 25: Head coach Matt Rhule fo the Carolina Panthers speaks to the media at the Indiana Convention Center on February 25, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) *** Local Capture *** Matt Rhule /

Carolina Panthers

The Panthers committed to Teddy Bridgewater for three seasons and, still only 27, the former first-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings is young enough to lock down the starting job well beyond that contract.

Him doing so is dependent on Bridgewater showing that he can elevate the play of his teammates on a Carolina team that has little in the way of proven difference makers at the offensive skill positions beyond Christian McCaffrey.

That was not something he definitively proved he could do during his 5-0 run with the New Orleans Saints while Drew Brees was sidelined last season.

There are likely to be growing pains for the Panthers in their rebuild under Matt Rhule and it will be difficult to pass on the 2021 quarterback class should Bridgewater fail to spark an immediate revival in fortunes.

Lance compares very well to Bridgewater when he came out of Louisville in 2014. He is a substantially more dangerous runner than Bridgewater has been at any point in his career and demonstrated tremendous confidence in pushing the ball downfield last year for the Bison.

Bridgewater, by contrast, has become known for a conservative style of play. Lance’s upside is much greater and, were the Panthers to draft him next year, there is little doubt he would soon assume control of the offense from Bridgewater. The combination of his skill set and the creative mind of Rhule is one that could quickly see the Panthers return to contention in the NFC South.

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