The Carolina Panthers surprised the NFL as the team that committed to Teddy Bridgewater as their next quarterback, although it shouldn't be surprising given his history with offensive coordinator Joe Brady.
Spending two years as an offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints, Brady spent the 2018 season working with Bridgewater when the franchise acquired him to be the No. 2 quarterback to Drew Brees. While Brady wasn't on the Saints coaching staff when Bridgewater filled in admirably for Brees last year, he wasn't surprised by the performance.
There's a reason why Bridgewater is in Carolina.
"Everybody that's met Teddy Bridgewater, he makes everybody better," Brady said to reporters during a conference call Thursday, via the Panthers website. "We had a day where we had Teddy running the meetings. I think that that's critical, having a guy that understands a good amount of the system and what we're doing, but also has an idea of football and being able to explain it and teach it to others.
"I think from a quarterback standpoint, when you're able to install a play, you're able to communicate terminology — even if it's different than what you've known in the past — it just shows how valuable you are."
Bridgewater completed 67.9% of his passes and threw for 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions (99.1 passer rating) with the Saints last season, going 5-0 in his five starts filling in for Brees. That experience with Bridgewater in 2018 helped Brady evolve as a coach, making him one of the most sought after offensive minds in the offseason after setting records running LSU's offense.
For the first time since 2015, Bridgewater will have an opportunity to be a starting quarterback entering the season. There's a reason the Panthers gave him three years and $63 million to lead their franchise.
"I knew what we had in Teddy Bridgewater," Brady said. "I know the type of winning football that he has (played) and is going to play. So I'm excited for him to finally be able to do that again."
