Panthers GM: We'll find Bridgewater's right place, whether here or elsewhere

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater's future became uncertain after Sam Darnold's arrival to the team via trade Monday.

Carolina acquired the former New York Jets' signal-caller in exchange for three picks - including a 2022 second-rounder - following a disappointing debut campaign by Bridgewater in 2020.

But the Panthers haven't given up on Bridgewater yet, according to general manager Scott Fitterer. The team instead wants to help the veteran quarterback find what's best for him moving forward.

"I've already talked to Teddy's agents. We're going to find the right place, whether it's here or wherever it may be, we'll figure things out, contract-wise as well," Fitterer said during a press conference Monday, according to Darin Gantt of panthers.com.

Bridgewater signed a three-year contract worth $63 million with Carolina last offseason but couldn't secure his job, throwing for 3,733 yards and 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while posting a 4-11 record. The 28-year-old also added 279 yards and five scores on the ground.

There aren't any guarantees the Panthers are done adding at quarterback, either, as the team apparently remains open to anything with the eighth overall pick in this year's draft.

"(The Darnold trade) doesn't take out of anything in the draft," Fitterer said. "It doesn't take us out of taking a quarterback, it doesn't take us out of taking any position.

"We could always move up, and we could always move back, but this puts us in a position to make the right football decision for this team moving forward."

Fitterer also praised Darnold's toughness and ability to move in the pocket, adding that the 2018 third overall pick can finally break out on Carolina's rising offensive unit.

"I think in this offense with (offensive coordinator) Joe Brady, with (head coach) Matt Rhule, with the weapons we have around him, that he can take that next step with us," he said.