The Carolina Panthers were already bad, which explains why they fired Matt Rhule earlier in the month.
They are now even worse with the Christian McCaffrey trade.
But that’s the idea! When you’re terrible in the NFL, especially when you don’t have a franchise quarterback waiting in the wings, you have to tank and accrue as much draft capital as you can to reboot the team.
Now that McCaffrey and Robbie Anderson were dealt, we looked over the Panthers roster and identified a few other players the front office should deal to continue the tank job. Let’s break them down:
1
WR D.J. Moore
Sigh. So, about this:
The Panthers consider WR D.J. Moore a “foundational piece” and are unlikely to trade him despite multiple trade calls, per @JFowlerESPN pic.twitter.com/SSwXySdt3s
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 21, 2022
Just do it. Imagine what you’ll get back!
2
DE Brian Burns
A league source told @DougKyed that the #Panthers could recoup draft picks and sell off assets such as Brian Burns and Derrick Brown.
That league source believes edge rusher Brian Burns could fetch a first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/5tBlP0YVQC
— uSTADIUM (@uSTADIUM) October 12, 2022
If you can get a first-rounder back for a player with four sacks this season and who had nine in each of his last two years? Heck yeah!!
3
LB Shaq Thompson
A veteran linebacker who can make tackles? Seems like an asset to a contender to me! I guess the dead cap money is a factor, though.
4
QB Baker Mayfield
OK, let’s get weird.
Anyone want a struggling quarterback? One who probably isn’t starting for this team even when he returns? Anyone? Bueller?
Live look at Baker Mayfield in Carolina pic.twitter.com/HH7CG36gCL
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) October 21, 2022
