Report: 49ers called Panthers about trade for Teddy Bridgewater

San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch recently stated that he has no doubt Jimmy Garoppolo will be the team's starting quarterback in 2021 if healthy. He also said the team needs better options to back him up in the event he suffers another injury. 

It appears Lynch has his eyes on a quarterback who spent the 2020 season as a starter. According to The Athletic's Joseph Person, the 49ers called the Carolina Panthers about a trade for Teddy Bridgewater. 

Bridgewater is very much available this offseason. The Panthers reportedly were willing to include him in a deal for former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford and reportedly is willing to part ways with him if and when Deshaun Watson becomes available. 

The 28-year-old will count nearly $23 million against the cap for the Panthers in 2021. If he's traded before June 1, Carolina will save nearly $13 million. 

Bridgewater went 4-11 as a starter last season, completing 69.1% of his passes for 3,733 yards and 15 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He also ran for 279 yards and five TDs.