During an appearance on the CBS Sports podcast “All Things Considered,” former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater criticized the Carolina Panthers’ coaching staff for their practice plans.
According to Bridgewater, the Panthers didn’t spend much time practicing red zone or two-minute drills last season. With first-year head coach Matt Rhule opting to do a walkthrough on Fridays as opposed to a full practice, Bridgewater said most of the drills in those situations came in a limited situation on Saturdays.
“We didn’t practice on Fridays, but you walked through the red zone stuff,” Bridgewater said. “Then Saturday you came out and practiced red zone but you got only 15 live reps.”
Podcast host and former NFL cornerback Bryant McFadden noted that most teams spend an entire day of practice on red zone and two-minute drills. The different practice scenario could have been a reason Carolina lost seven games by one possession last season but Bridgewater’s play was also a factor.
Bridgewater went 4-11 as a starter after signing a three-year contract with Carolina last season, throwing for 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. While he posted a 69.1 percent completion percentage, that number dipped to 58.5 percent in the red zone.
This offseason, the Panthers traded Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos to make room for 2018 third-overall pick Sam Darnold.
“The whole deal with Carolina, it is what it is,” Bridgewater said. “I told them once the season ended I wear big-boy drawers and I understand the nature of this business and it’s a performance-based business.”
Bridgewater is expected to start for the Broncos next season.
