Teddy Bridgewater: Just Have to Be Myself Replacing Cam Newton with Panthers

New Carolina Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater knows he is stepping into a big role as he takes over as the team's new starter after the release of Cam Newton. 

That said, Bridgewater says his focus remains on himself and what he can do. 

"I'm aware of the situation," Bridgewater told reporters during a conference call. "It's a unique situation. For me, all I have to do is be myself.

"I knew when Drew got injured, I had big shoes to fill then. I just constantly reminded myself to be me. By doing so, it allowed me to be a better teammate, a better football player and a better person."

Bridgewater signed a three-year, $63 million contract with the Panthers earlier this month after spending the last two seasons with the New Orleans Saints. He started five games in 2019 in place of an injured Drew Brees, leading the Saints to a 5-0 record while throwing for 1,384 yards and nine touchdowns against two interceptions.

His arrival in Carolina ends a four-year journey that began when he suffered a knee injury that nearly led to an amputation in 2016. He missed the entire 2016 season and played in just one game in 2017 with the Minnesota Vikings before signing with the Saints in 2018. 

Ironically, Bridgewater's last full season as a starter came during Cam Newton's MVP campaign in 2015. He led the Vikings to an 11-5 record and has a 22-12 overall record as a starter.

"I'm a winner," Bridgewater said. "Everywhere I've gone I've won, and I take pride in that. That's the reason I'm in games, to win. I'll just leave it at that. ... I'm just going to tell you right now I'm a winner and plan on continuing to be one."