Matt Rhule: Panthers will let Teddy Bridgewater situation 'play out'

While speaking with media members on Monday, Carolina Panthers head coach Matt Rhule offered high praise for 23-year-old quarterback Sam Darnold, who was acquired via a trade with the New York Jets last week. 

Previous reports suggested the Panthers would look to either trade current signal-caller Teddy Bridgewater or ask him to adjust his contract to offer the club salary-cap relief. Per Kevin Patra of the NFL's official website, Rhule didn't offer much of an answer regarding Bridgewater's future. 

"Teddy's still a member of this team," Rhule explained, per Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports. "It's been documented that our organization gave his representation permission to talk with some other people. So I think we're just gonna have to let that play out and see where it stands. I think you guys all know how I feel about Teddy as a professional, as a person. I believe he can win as a quarterback in this league. I believe that he can move the ball and do good things. I believe that whatever situation he walks into, he's going to walk in with a great attitude. In terms of what will happen, I honestly would have to say we'll have to wait and see how things play out over the coming weeks for him and for us."

Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer recently suggested Bridgewater will be traded whenever a true buyer emerges, and the first-round pick from the 2014 NFL Draft will likely need to re-work his contract regardless due to the salary cap dropping by nearly $16 million from the previous season. 

Darnold, meanwhile, is almost guaranteed to be atop the Carolina depth chart at the position when summer training camp sessions open. It's expected the Panthers will pick up the fifth-year option attached to his deal.