Broncos acquire Bridgewater from Panthers for 6th-round pick

The Carolina Panthers traded quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round 2021 draft pick, the Panthers announced Wednesday.

Carolina will pay $7 million of Bridgewater's salary, while the Broncos will take on $3 million, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The move reportedly doesn't eliminate the possibility that Denver will try to draft a quarterback in the first round Thursday. The AFC West club owns the No. 9 overall pick.

"Acquiring Teddy Bridgewater adds competition, experience, and a strong veteran presence to our quarterback room," said new Broncos general manager George Paton.

If the Broncos don't bring in a rookie, Bridgewater is set to compete for the top job with Drew Lock. The former second-rounder is entering his third season in Denver, but Paton has been hesitant to commit to him as the starter for 2021.

Bridgewater was made surplus to requirements by the Panthers' acquisition of Sam Darnold from the New York Jets in early April.

Carolina sent a sixth-rounder in the 2021 draft and a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in 2022 for Darnold. The team reportedly gave Bridgewater permission to seek a trade shortly after.

Bridgewater started 15 games for the Panthers last season after signing a three-year deal in free agency. He threw for 3,733 yards and 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while posting a 4-11 record.

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