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Latest On Panthers, Brian Burns; Team Still Interested In Adding WR

October 25th, 2023 at 10:18am CST by Sam Robinson

Leading up to the 2022 trade deadline, the Panthers received a monster offer for Brian Burns. Clinging to their all-in period, the Rams offered two first-rounders and a third for the ascending edge rusher. With neither of those firsts coming in 2023, the Panthers turned down the proposal and committed to hammering out an extension.

Despite extensive talks this offseason, no Burns extension is in place. The Panthers have the 2019 first-round pick tied to a $16MM fifth-year option salary and will have the franchise tag at their disposal next year. Burns’ status with Carolina beyond this season is in doubt, however, and trade rumors are following the Pro Bowl edge once again.

The lack of progress between Burns and the Panthers could lead to a trade, and GM Scott Fitterer is believed to have taken calls on the team’s top pass rusher. Those inquiries do not look to have produced an offer anywhere close to what the Rams proposed last year, with ESPN.com’s David Newton noting Burns interest has been somewhat scarce this time around.

The Panthers do not want to deal Burns, and Newton adds a first-round pick would be required for the team to move on. The Rams’ offer may end up becoming a significant “what if?” in recent Panthers history, especially if the organization moves on before the Oct. 31 deadline for a lesser package. But hurdles exist on the way to an extension agreement.

Both sides want to come to terms on an extension, per the Washington Post’s Jason La Canfora, but enough of a gap exists here to cause legitimate concern no deal will come to pass. If the prospects of a re-up are bleak enough, the Panthers may consider reversing course and moving on from Burns. The Ron Rivera-era investment has continued his pace this season, notching four sacks and posting nine QB hits in six games.

Burns, 25, and the Panthers began negotiations back in June. Even that appeared a bit late, considering the Florida State alum became extension-eligible in January 2022. A deal near the Bradley Chubb–Maxx Crosby level ($22-$24MM) was viewed as a potential Burns sweet spot, but these negotiations had not progressed by training camp. Burns initially said he did not want to miss any time due to his contract, but be backtracked by staging an unusual hold-in effort after he had already begun practicing. But Burns’ 11th-hour move did not produce a deal. The Panthers are open to negotiating in-season, though Burns confirmed the talks never came close to producing a deal before Week 1.

In addition to wielding the leverage that came from the Panthers turning down the Rams’ monster offer, Burns’ camp also could use the fact he was kept out of the Bears trade this March. Chicago brought up Burns and Derrick Brown, but Fitterer successfully kept both rookie-contract pass rushers out of the deal. This led to D.J. Moore‘s inclusion. While the Panthers made an effective commitment to Burns by turning down trade overtures in October 2022 and this past March, that could prove costly from a financial standpoint — especially with Nick Bosa boosting the edge defender market in September.

Bosa’s new deal came in a whopping $6MM north of T.J. Watt‘s previous edge-record AAV ($28MM). With Bosa at $34MM per year, it is logical to expect Burns’ asking price to have gone up. With the NFL’s third- and fourth-highest-paid edges — Joey Bosa ($27MM per year) and Myles Garrett ($25MM) — more accomplished than Burns, Carolina’s hesitancy is also understandable. The sides do not have to reach an agreement by the trade deadline, though that would provide some finality. But if no confidence exists the parties will come to terms in the future, Burns would be one of this year’s top trade pieces available.

Additionally, the Panthers are still believed to be targeting a wide receiver. They make for perhaps the league’s strangest buyer, being the only winless team remaining, but La Canfora adds the team continues to eye weaponry. The Panthers have not seen much from their non-Adam Thielen wing of targets, and with Bryce Young also offering an inconsistent start, it is logical for the team to be looking around for help.

The Panthers are open to moving Terrace Marshall, and while their prime window to augment their receiving corps may come next year, the previously rumored receiver interest persists days ahead of the deadline. Marshall said (via The Athletic’s Joe Person) his role decrease has impacted the recent trade request.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 10/24/23

October 24th, 2023 at 7:44pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Tuesday’s practice squad moves:

Arizona Cardinals

  • Released: CB Quavian White

Carolina Panthers

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

New York Giants

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Panthers Place S Jeremy Chinn, OLB Yetur Gross-Matos On IR, Activate G Austin Corbett

October 24th, 2023 at 4:27pm CST by Adam La Rose

Coming out of their bye week, the Panthers have made a number of injury-related moves. The team announced on Tuesday that safety Jeremy Chinn and pass rusher Yetur Gross-Matos have been placed on injured reserve. The same is true of tight end/special teamer Giovanni Ricci.

As a result of the move, all three players will be forced to miss at least four weeks. In Chinn’s case, a quadriceps injury is expected to keep him sidelined for longer than that, so today’s move comes as no surprise. The 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract, but the injury likely took him off the board with respect to trade interest from outside teams.

Gross-Matos is dealing with a hamstring injury which has been deemed serious enough to interrupt an encouraging season. The former second-rounder has posted 2.5 sacks through six games, only one short of matching his career high. He has added three tackles for loss and six quarterback pressures despite seeing a drop in playing time compared to last year. Starters Brian Burns and Justin Houston will be counted on more heavily in the edge department given Gross-Matos’ absence. Ricci has a shoulder injury, per ESPN’s David Newton.

In more positive news, the Panthers activated guard Austin Corbett from the PUP list. This marked the final week of his 21-day return window, so today’s move was needed to avoid having him revert to season-ending IR. The 28-year-old suffered an ACL tear in Week 18 last year, and has been rehabbing ever since. His return will be welcomed on an offensive line which has used three different starters at both left and right guard this season. Corbett indicated (via Newton) that he may not suit up for Week 8 despite being brought back onto the roster. That move will did use up any of Carolina’s seven remaining IR activations, but bringing back Chinn, Gross-Matos and Ricci will.

To fill the other roster spots opened up by the IR moves, the Panthers have signed edge rusher Luiji Vilain off the Vikings’ practice squad. The 25-year-old Canadian has made four regular season appearances since signing in Minnesota as a UDFA. Likewise, Carolina has added offensive lineman Brett Toth from the Eagles’ taxi squad. The latter has made one start across his 17 total games played, all with Philadelphia.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/23/23

October 23rd, 2023 at 7:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Here are Monday’s minor moves:

Cleveland Browns

Houston Texans

Jacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings

New York Giants

  • Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: RB Jashaun Corbin

San Francisco 49ers

This marks a New York return for Corbin, who went to training camp with the Giants. A UDFA out of Florida State, Corbin signed a reserve/futures contract with the Giants in January but did not make their 53-man roster. The Panthers had kept Corbin on their practice squad since early September. Rather than promote Corbin to their 53-man roster to block this New York return, Carolina will let him join the Giants’ 53. Corbin joins Saquon Barkley, Gary Brightwell and fifth-round rookie Eric Gray as running backs on Big Blue’s 53-man roster. Both Brightwell (hamstring) and Gray (calf) suffered injuries in Week 7, creating a need at the position.

Multiple Teams Eyeing WR Trades?

October 23rd, 2023 at 11:26am CST by Adam La Rose

The countdown to the October 31 trade deadline continues, and further moves beyond the relatively minor ones which have already taken place could be coming soon. One position to watch in that regard could be that of wide receiver.

ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that a number of teams have “monitored” the WR market recently, and he specifically names the Colts, Panthers, Packers and Chiefs as ones to which that applies. The latter squad has, of course, already made a move at the receiver spot by reuniting with Mecole Hardman. The pick-swap with the Jets which made that possible leaves the defending champions with $3.57MM in cap space.

On the other end of the spectrum, the 0-6 Panthers are unlikely to assume a buyer’s stance in a bid to add much before the deadline. However, Carolina has been connected to pursuit of help at the WR spot during the season, so a move in that regard would not come as a complete shock. Perhaps the most likely outcome at the position would involve a deal sending former second-rounder Terrace Marshall out of Charlotte. The latter has been granted permission to seek a trade.

The Colts have made notable investments at the WR spot via the draft in recent years, using a second-round pick on Alec Pierce in 2022 and a third-round selection on Josh Downs this past April. That pair has given the team depth and complimentary options behind leading receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is in a contract year. Pittman is willing to wait on extension talks until after the season, but he is well aware of the market he could command if he delivers another strong season in his walk year. Sitting at 3-4 and knowing starting quarterback Anthony Richardson will miss the remainder of the season, Indianapolis is in an interesting position with respect to how they approach the rest of the season from a roster-building standpoint.

Embracing a youth movement on offense with Jordan Love under center, the Packers have a highly inexperienced pass-catching corps. Green Bay was initially connected to a desire to add a veteran presence at the WR spot, but later in the offseason head coach Matt Lafleur expressed confidence in his youthful receiving group. That has resulted in plenty of playing time for the likes of Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed, though the Packers have struggled on offense over the past several weeks. The 2-4 outfit has just over $8.6MM in cap space to use on a potential addition.

With respect to potential targets (beyond those already frequently mentioned as trade chips), Fowler names Kendrick Bourne (Patriots) and Parris Campbell (Giants) as veterans who could be on the move. The former fell out of favor with the coaching staff last season, but he has seen a spike in playing time and production so far this year. The latter battled injuries in Indianapolis but flashed potential ahead of his move to New York, which has not yet worked out as planned. Both players are set to hit free agency in March.

Other teams – like the Dolphins with their recent Chase Claypool addition – have already been involved in the receiver market, and clubs/players not named above will no doubt be worth watching as well. For the time being, though, notable specifics have emerged at the position as the deadline draws nearer.

Panthers OLB Brian Burns Generating Trade Interest; Latest On Team’s Other Trade Candidates

October 22nd, 2023 at 7:50am CST by Rory Parks

Panthers edge rusher Brian Burns is once again the subject of trade rumors. Burns is in a platform year, and as the Panthers are sitting at 0-6, GM Scott Fitterer is unsurprisingly fielding calls on the two-time Pro Bowler, as Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports (subscription required).

Burns was also a popular name at last year’s deadline, and Fitterer turned down an offer from the Rams that featured two first-round picks. That development ostensibly gave Burns plenty of leverage in negotiations on a long-term contract, negotiations that apparently have not generated much traction. Indeed, previous reports indicated that the two sides have not come close to striking an accord, as Burns is said to be seeking a deal with an average annual value approaching Nick Bosa‘s astronomical $34MM figure, while Carolina believes Maxx Crosby‘s $23.5MM AAV is a more appropriate comp.

In September, we learned that the Panthers were willing to continue contract talks in-season, though it is unclear if that has actually happened. Of course, an acquiring team would need to work out a lucrative contract extension in addition to parting with a premium trade package, which is perhaps one reason why Russini reports the Panthers are not expecting to deal Burns.

That said, they are listening to offers, as Charles Robinson of Yahoo! Sports writes. Robinson acknowledges that Carolina would prefer to keep Burns, but the club’s top priority is to furnish the offense with more talent to aid the development of rookie quarterback Bryce Young. As such, Fitterer could be willing to move Burns and would be seeking a first-round pick plus a talented, young offensive player or a first-round pick plus additional draft capital — including at least one Day 2 selection — in exchange.

Per Robinson, the 5-1 Lions — who have recorded a middling 15 sacks in 2023 — are one possible suitor for Burns. Robinson also believes the Rams could get in the mix again if they should win their next two contests and hit the October 31 deadline with a 5-3 record.

Generally, both Russini and Robinson hear that the Panthers are operating as both buyers and sellers in the run-up to the deadline. We have heard repeatedly over the past several weeks that the club is in pursuit of a high-end wideout, and a report from earlier this month suggested that receiver Terrace Marshall, safety/linebacker Jeremy Chinn, and cornerback Donte Jackson are all on the trade block.

Marshall has been granted permission to seek a trade, while Chinn is dealing with a significant quadriceps injury that will sideline him until December, which obviously represents a major blow to his trade value (though Russini hears that the contract-year defender is still available).

Jackson, meanwhile, is under club control through 2024, and both Robinson and Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com report that there is outside interest in his services.

Panthers Grant WR Terrace Marshall Permission To Seek Trade

October 19th, 2023 at 1:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mentioned as a trade candidate earlier this month, Terrace Marshall would like to move on. The former second-round pick has been unable to carve out a steady role with the Panthers, and the team is ready to make a deal.

The Panthers have given Marshall’s camp permission to find a trade partner, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports. After showing improvement last season, the LSU alum has operated in a reduced role to start Frank Reich‘s tenure. With the Panthers in their bye week, all parties involved will see what is out there in a trade.

Part of a historically successful receiving corps — one including Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase — while in college, Marshall joined a Panthers team housing former Tigers assistant Joe Barry as offensive coordinator. But 2021’s No. 59 overall pick showed more promise under Ben McAdoo last season. The 6-foot-2 wideout averaged 17.5 yards per reception (28 catches, 490 yards) in 2022. Thus far this year, Marshall is at 16-114.

The trade to acquire Bryce Young required the Panthers to part with No. 1 receiver D.J. Moore. After the Panthers dumped the former Robbie Anderson (now Robbie Chosen) before last year’s deadline, Marshall represents the last major link to the team’s Matt Rhule-era receiver plan. The Panthers signed Adam Thielen and DJ Chark before using a second-round pick on Jonathan Mingo. Instead of including this year’s Round 2 pick (No. 38 overall) in the Moore trade — as the Bears initially requested — Carolina included two future seconds. This led to Mingo, who has played ahead of Marshall this season.

Thielen, Chark and Mingo have each played at least 275 offensive snaps; Marshall has only been on the field for 146. Marshall topped 650 yards for LSU’s unbeaten national championship team, and after Jefferson became a 2020 first-rounder and Chase opted out that year, the younger pass catcher totaled a career-high 731 receiving yards. Marshall closed his LSU career with 23 touchdown catches from 2019-20; he has one career NFL score.

The Bears and Rams have accepted low-end returns for former second-round receivers this season, respectively sending Chase Claypool and Van Jefferson to the Dolphins and Falcons in pick-swap deals that sent the wideouts and seventh-rounders elsewhere in exchange for sixths. Both Claypool and Jefferson have outproduced Marshall, though the latter’s rookie deal running through 2024 could put Carolina in position to do a touch better in a potential trade. Though, it should not be expected Marshall will generate too much of a market.

Sitting as the NFL’s only winless team, the 0-6 Panthers also have the door open to trading Donte Jackson and Jeremy Chinn. The latter’s quad injury likely keeps him in Charlotte to close out his contract year, and it would be interesting to see the Panthers move Jackson — considering Jaycee Horn‘s significant hamstring injury. But the Panthers are understandably open for business on certain players, with this season — despite a Steve Wilks-overseen 6-6 finish last year — a clear rebuilding campaign. It will be interesting to see if the Panthers put bigger pieces — like contract-year edge Brian Burns — on the table.

DB Notes: Packers, Chinn, CJGJ, Roby, Rams

October 19th, 2023 at 9:43am CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers do not likely have a starting spot waiting for Eric Stokes upon his return. As we heard in June, the 2021 first-round pick is on track to return as a backup. Green Bay has Jaire Alexander, Rasul Douglas and Keisean Nixon as its top three corners, and unlike 2022, the team is not planning on changing Douglas’ position to accommodate a cornerback surplus. Douglas moving to safety appears a non-starter, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. Last season, the Packers moved Douglas to a slot role to make room for the returning Alexander. After Stokes’ midseason Lisfranc injury, Douglas moved back to his more natural boundary position.

Stokes, who underwent foot and knee surgeries this offseason, remains on the Packers’ reserve/PUP list. The team designated him for return two weeks ago, setting his activation deadline at Oct. 24. Stokes was running at full speed in July and would have been ready to come back had multiple hamstring issues not slowed him during training camp, Schneidman adds. Stokes fared better as a rookie, when the Pack were down Alexander, than he did last season. Pro Football Focus graded Stokes outside the top 100 among corners last season, and this backup role does not present an ideal rebound opportunity.

Here is the latest from NFL secondaries:

  • Mentioned as a trade candidate last week, Jeremy Chinn now looks likely to finish his contract year in Carolina. The fourth-year Panthers safety sustained a significant quadriceps injury that ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter expects to sideline him for up to six weeks. Despite being a versatile cog who has been a Panthers regular throughout his career, Chinn has seen his playing time dip in Ejiro Evero‘s defense this season. After logging snap rates over 90% from 2020-22, the former Defensive Rookie of the Year runner-up has played 52% of Carolina’s defensive snaps. The Panthers prioritized Chinn as a foundational piece before last year’s deadline; his stock has fallen since.
  • Bradley Roby avoided the worst-case scenario after suffering a pectoral injury in Week 6. The recent Eagles addition sustained a pectoral strain, per NFL reporter Jordan Schultz, who adds the 10th-year cornerback will avoid IR. In the two games since being signed and quickly promoted to the 53-man roster, Roby has played 46% of Philadelphia’s defensive snaps. The Eagles have already lost their top slot corner, Avonte Maddox. Roby’s setback represents another blow for the defending NFC champions, but the 31-year-old cover man should be back fairly soon.
  • C.J. Gardner-Johnson is navigating a longer return timetable, suffering a torn pec in Week 2. The Lions safety, who led the NFL in INTs during his Eagles one-off last season, is believed to be months away from coming back — if he is to return at all — according to the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett. Pectoral tears often end players’ seasons, so it will be interesting if Gardner-Johnson becomes a true candidate to come off IR down the stretch — perhaps if Detroit makes the playoffs.
  • Rams corner Derion Kendrick faces two misdemeanor charges in connection with his recent gun arrest, Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times notes. Arrested Monday morning, Kendrick was charged with carrying a concealed weapon and possessing a loaded firearm. While teams regularly deploy players after arrests, waiting for NFL suspensions to come down later, Kendrick did not practice with the Rams upon his release from custody. The 2022 sixth-round pick has started all six Rams games this year. Discipline should be expected, but until a ban surfaces, Kendrick will likely continue to suit up for the team.
  • In a Ravens workout that led to safety Andrew Adams being signed, Eric Rowe received an audition, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. An eight-year veteran, Rowe spent the past four seasons with the Dolphins. Rowe, 31, signed a one-year, $1.32MM Panthers deal this offseason but did not make the team. Carolina released Rowe from its practice squad last month.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/17/23

October 17th, 2023 at 9:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor moves:

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

  • Signed off Giants practice squad: S Alex Cook

Cleveland Browns

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

Philadelphia Eagles

Panthers’ Frank Reich Cedes Play-Calling Duties To OC Thomas Brown

October 16th, 2023 at 10:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

In the wake of a sixth straight loss to open the season, the Panthers will have a new voice leading the offense on the sidelines. Head coach Frank Reich has ceded play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network tweets.

Reich took charge of guiding Carolina’s offense when he was hired as head coach, a move which led to optimism about the team’s ability to find long-term success on that side of the ball with rookie quarterback Bryce Young and Co. He made it clear on several occasions, however, that he would hand over play-calling duties at some point in the not-too distant future with a well-respected assistant in the form of Brown in place. With Carolina now on the bye week, that time as come.

A report from yesterday indicated Reich would carry on with the current arrangement for the time being, but Week 6 produced another underwhelming performance on offense. The Panthers managed just 188 yards through the air and went a combined 5-for-19 on third and fourth down in a 21-point loss to the Dolphins. Conversations within the organization had led to questions about the team’s ongoing struggles putting up points, something which foreshadowed today’s move. However, Reich confirmed on Monday that this decision was his, not one imposed from the front office.

Brown, 37, has been named as one of the league’s top up-and-coming offensive minds for a few years now. He spent nine years in the college ranks (including three as the University of Miami’s OC) before joining Sean McVay‘s Rams staff in 2020. Brown served as a running backs, and, later, tight ends coach during his time in Los Angeles and he held the title of assistant head coach for his final two years there. His Panthers hire signaled the possibility of handling play-calling duties at the pro level for the first time, and he will now guide the team’s offense moving forward.

Carolina currently sits 23rd in the league in both total and scoring offense, so the team has plenty of room for improvement after the bye. Brown will look to help Young, the top pick in April’s draft, take a step forward from the generally underwhelming start in the NFL he has had so far. Doing so would likely get the team in the win column, and help the front office evaluate a unit which, with the notable exception of veteran wideout Adam Thielen, has not seen signficant production amongst its skill-position group.

A strong showing from Brown on the sidelines would also, of course, help his and Reich’s standing in the organization and quell a perceived need from owner David Tepper to make personnel changes early in the franchise’s latest chapter. Plenty of attention will be on Brown as he looks to prove the confidence placed in him to be well-founded.

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