Acquiring Bridgewater allows the Broncos to take the best player available in the draft, quarterback or otherwise.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Give Denver Broncos general manager George Paton some credit for doing exactly what he said he was going to do. He said he would add „competition“ at quarterback. He said he would do it in the draft or in the „trade market.“ And he said he would not „force it“ or „overpay a guy to come in and he’s not as good as the guy we have and maybe he’s not good enough to compete.“ Well, check, check and check. The Broncos surrendered their sixth-round pick in this year’s NFL draft (No.191) to the Carolina Panthers on Wednesday in a low-risk exchange for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. The Panthers will pay $7 million of Bridgewater’s $10 million salary guarantee in 2021. 2021 NFL draft coverage • Mocks: Kiper| McShay| Tannenbaum • Rankings: Kiper| McShay| Legwold • Kiper/McShay: Dueling mock| All-22 • Teams: Matchmaker| Needs| Guides • Draft cheat sheet| Best at every skill • Full ranking| Pick order| More • Mocks: Kiper| McShay| Tannenbaum • Rankings: Kiper| McShay| Legwold • Kiper/McShay: Dueling mock| All-22 • Teams: Matchmaker| Needs| Guides • Draft cheat sheet| Best at every skill • Full ranking| Pick order| More To put it another way, the Broncos will pay Bridgewater less during the upcoming season than the Philadelphia Eagles will pay Joe Flacco or the Jacksonville Jaguars will pay C.J. Beathard. The Broncos didn’t trade for Bridgewater — who passed for 3,733 yards with 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions last season — because they believe he is their guaranteed starting quarterback or the long-term solution to what has become a long-term riddle.
