NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the Panthers are trading QB Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos for a 6th-round pick. That seems like a surprisingly small price, but Bridgewater is due nearly $23 million this year and would still carry $5 million in dead money on the 2022 cap if released after this season. His departure clears the way for Sam Darnold to take over the offense -- if Carolina doesn't go QB in the 1st round of the NFL Draft. In Denver, we'd bet on a competition between Bridgewater and Drew Lock for the starting gig. This trade might not necessarily take the Broncos out of the NFL Draft QB market. But it at least suggests they don't expect to land a 2021 starting candidate at the position. Bridgewater threw just 15 TD passes in his lone season with Carolina. If he earns the starting job in Denver, he'll find a talent-rich set of pass-catchers that includes Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy, Noah Fant and K.J. Hamler.

Broncos HC Vic Fangio informed the team this morning that Teddy Bridgewater has won the starting QB job over Drew Lock. It looked like a dead heat until Bridgewater turned in an excellent outing in the 2nd preseason game, going 9 of 11 for for 105 yards and a TD. Bridgewater sits 10th among 80 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' preseason passing grades. Lock ranks 37th. Bridgewater isn't an exciting player or high-upside fantasy option. But he's steady and accurate. And Denver's strong group of pass-catchers could turn him into a spot-start option for fantasy teams this year. We like this news for the fantasy value on the Broncos' pass-catchers, especially WR Jerry Jeudy.

For the 2nd straight preseason game, both Broncos QBs appeared to play well. Teddy Bridgewater got the start Saturday against the Seahawks. He completed 9 of 11 passes for 105 yards and 1 TD, highlighted by a 35-yard completion to Jerry Jeudy on a 4th-and-5. Bridgewater also piloted another TD drive. Drew Lock then came on to go 9-of-14 for 80 yards on 3 drives that produced field goals. According to Nick Kosmider of The Athletic, HC Vic Fangio said earlier in the week that he was "pretty damn close" to deciding who will start at QB. We'll see whether we get that announcement this week. For now, it looks too close to call for fantasy-drafting purposes.

Broncos HC Vic Fangio plans to split reps evenly between QBs Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock this offseason. "It will be something that at the end of the day, maybe not at the end of every day but over the course of OTAs and training camp, it’ll be 50-50," Fangio said. That suggests that this is a wide-open competition. Lock and Bridgewater could hardly be more different: Lock an aggressive gunslinger, Bridgewater and more conservative but accurate passer. We'll see how this shakes out, but neither guy can be considered more than a QB3 in best-ball drafts right now. Of course, whoever wins the job will have some fantasy upside thanks to Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Noah Fant.

After dealing for QB Sam Darnold, the Panthers have given QB Teddy Bridgewater permission to seek a trade, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "Carolina is open to Bridgewater returning, but will give him a chance to have a say in his future," Rapoport adds. Bridgewater straddles the line between quality NFL starter and backup, so it's unclear how much interest there will be in him on the trade market. The takeaway here, though, is that the Panthers are planning on handing the keys to Darnold.

Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater injured his left (non-throwing) arm at the end of Sunday’s loss to the Vikings. He told reporters afterward that he hurt “something in my arm” but didn’t sound too concerned, according to ESPN’s David Newton. Bridgewater gets a Week 13 bye to rest up.