Teddy Bridgewater 'honored' to follow in Cam Newton's footsteps

Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has some big shoes to fill. 

Bridgewater will take over for former MVP Cam Newton in Carolina, and it won't be easy. 

The 27-year-old knows how difficult it will be to win over Panthers fans after Newton spent nine seasons with the team and brought them to a Super Bowl in 2015. However, he's still honored to walk in Newton's shoes and bring light to Carolina after a 5-11 2019 campaign.

"With Cam, it was one of those situations where I understand as a player you're a competitor, you want to get back out there and get an opportunity that opportunity to show that you're still this elite guy,'' Bridgewater said, according to ESPN's David Newton. "He's done some great things. He's obviously one of the best players to ever play for this franchise. Everyone around here respects him. They speak highly of him.

"I'm just honored to be following in the position that he left behind, to get the opportunity to resume my career."

The Panthers gave Bridgewater a three-year, $63 million deal in March after a solid stint with the New Orleans Saints in 2019.

Filling in for Drew Brees last season, Bridgewater went 5-0 with 1,384 yards, nine touchdowns and a 67.9 completion percentage against two interceptions. 

While it took Newton a while to find a new team, he eventually landed with the New England Patriots, who gave him a minimum deal. Although Newton wasn't guaranteed the starting position, it'll be hard for second-year quarterback Jarrett Stidham to beat him out and win the position in training camp.

In the end, both Bridgewater and Newton likely are ending up with starting positions for the 2020 season, and that's something no one would've imagined earlier in the offseason.