The Panthers are tied with six other teams at the bottom of the NFL with a 2-7 record, solidifying them as sellers at this year’s fast-approaching trade deadline. While it seems like no pieces would be off-limits in what has been a multi-year rebuild, the media has been reporting otherwise. 
Mosty notably, we continue to hear that second-year quarterback Bryce Young is not available in the trade market. Young was benched in Week 3 of the season, leading to several rumors that the former No. 1 overall pick could be available for a potential trade. Though Carolina denied such rumors, plenty of teams called the Panthers inquiring about obtaining the 23-year-old. Diana Russini of The Athletic’s latest report confirms the Panthers’ position that they are “not considering moving the quarterback.”
Young was forced back into the starting lineup last week as Andy Dalton dealt with a thumb injury, and though Carolina lost the contest, the coaching staff was reportedly “encouraged by his improvements and overall commitment to the team.” Young started today, as well, and though his numbers didn’t jump off the stat sheet, he delivered a win to keep the team out of the divisional basement. Russini asserts that, even if the Panthers ultimately do trade Young, they’d get better value for him in the offseason.
While Russini doesn’t believe Young is available in a trade, she does note running back Miles Sanders and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney as names to look for. This notion was challenged by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who claimed that Clowney was “more likely than not” staying in Carolina. Clowney had a resurgent 9.5-sack 2023 season with the Ravens but has only been able to amass one sack so far this year in Carolina. He under contract for next year, as well, which makes him more attractive as a trade option who would stick around for more than just the next nine weeks, but Rapoport is under the impression that he remains with the Panthers.
In addition to Young and Clowney, Peter Schrager of FOX Sports reported this morning that he’s been hearing that cornerback Jaycee Horn and running back Chuba Hubbard are also not likely to be moved. Horn has had trouble staying on the field in his first three years, but he’s been healthy in 2024, and the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option for next year, as well. Hubbard is playing in a contract year after a breakout season, so it’d make sense to move him, but like Young, Clowney, and Horn, it appears that he’ll be finishing out the year in Carolina.
Thielen to Steelers