Carolina Panthers News & Rumors

Panthers Bring Back WR Damiere Byrd

April 14th, 2023 at 1:43pm CST by Sam Robinson

After bouncing around the league over the past four years, Damiere Byrd will head back to where his NFL career began. The Panthers signed the veteran wide receiver Friday.

Byrd, 30, has been with five different teams over the past five years. But his most extended stretch with one NFL franchise came from 2015-18, when the former UDFA played for Carolina. While the Panthers have new decision-makers in place now, the Ron Rivera-era addition will return to compete for a spot on Frank Reich‘s team.

Byrd spent last season with the Falcons, with whom he averaged a career-high 20.6 yards per reception (13 catches, 268 yards). Prior to that, the 5-foot-9 pass catcher suited up for the Bears (2021), Patriots (2020) and Cardinals (2019). Byrd will follow Adam Thielen and DJ Chark as Panthers receiver additions this offseason.

Carolina moved on from Byrd by non-tendering him as a restricted free agent back in 2019. Byrd had not made much of an impact to that point in his career, catching just 12 passes over his first four years in the league. Byrd’s time away from the Panthers improved his receiving chops. He contributed as a tertiary target for each of his past four teams, with the most notable work coming in New England. Working with Cam Newton again, Byrd amassed a career-high 604 receiving yards for the 2020 Patriots. That production — and the 4.28-second 40-yard dash time Byrd clocked as a prospect — has undoubtedly contributed to other teams taking fliers on the South Carolina alum.

Although Byrd has undoubtedly picked up some contacts around the league during his journeyman phase, he has not worked with Reich, GM Scott Fitterer or any of Reich’s top offensive staffers. Byrd also has not played much special teams since leaving Carolina; the 175-pound pass catcher has not topped 10 ST snaps in any of the past four seasons. He did make cameos in kick- and punt-return roles in Carolina but not much in the years since.

The Panthers still figure to be on the radar for receiving help in the draft, but Byrd stands to compete for a roster spot over the next several months. Terrace Marshall, Laviska Shenault and Shi Smith also stand to factor into competition for supporting-cast gigs behind the two free agent acquisitions.

Panthers Not Receiving Calls On No. 1 Pick; Team Down To Two QBs?

April 13th, 2023 at 5:58pm CST by Sam Robinson

It would be unusual for a team to acquire the No. 1 overall pick and then trade out of that slot, but the Panthers did obtain this draft pick several weeks ago. And the team was believed to be comfortable with multiple options in this year’s draft.

But nothing is pointing to Carolina moving back again. The Panthers have not received calls on the No. 1 pick, per David Newton of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Sticking at No. 1 will affect the team’s quarterback search, which still may be a Bryce Young-or-C.J. Stroud call.

Anthony Richardson was on Carolina’s “30” visit schedule, and the Florida product’s athletic profile has generated extensive buzz during the pre-draft process. A report earlier Thursday indicated Richardson remains in the mix for the Panthers at 1. But a Richardson-at-1 plan does not appear to be universally viewed as realistic. The Panthers would likely only consider Richardson if they traded down, per Newton. Given the boom-or-bust strings attached to Richardson — a one-year Florida starter who completed less than 54% of his throws during that slate — it would be a massive risk to bet on the athletic prospect’s upside at No. 1.

Stroud is still scheduled to visit the Panthers on Tuesday, and ESPN’s Matt Miller said he joins Young in having “serious support” in Carolina’s building. But Young has overtaken the two-year Ohio State starter as the favorite. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. swapped the QBs on his most recent mock draft, sliding Stroud down to Houston at No. 2. The growing Panthers-Young connection should still be viewed as an indicator of where this process will end up, Newton adds (on Twitter).

Still, NFL execs, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, view Stroud as the clear-cut second-best QB in this year’s draft who brings prototypical size (6-foot-3) compared to the 5-10 Young. The two-year Crimson Tide starter graded as the polled execs’ most pro-ready passer available. Richardson and Will Levis, who will visit Carolina along with Stroud but is not believed to be in consideration for the Panthers, reside a tier below Young and Stroud here.

The Texans were deep in discussions about moving into the No. 1 slot, and the Bears were interested in a trade that would have seen them drop from 1 to 2 to 9. Houston backed out, but the Panthers and Texans’ involvement in those talks point to the NFC South team being open to multiple QBs and the AFC South franchise clearly preferring one. How the Texans proceed at No. 2 will become more interesting after the Panthers make their choice. It should be expected Carolina is closing in on a consensus, but with the NFL preferring to keep fans in suspense, the pick’s identity may not emerge until Roger Goodell reads the card.

Houston holds intriguing draft capital to move up, having two first- and third-round picks this year and two firsts in 2024, and Carolina did part with a lot to acquire this year’s top pick. Still, dealing such a package — one that included D.J. Moore — and then being fine with the second-best QB in this year’s draft would invite unnecessary risk into the retooled team’s draft. For teams interested in moving up, the Texans may entertain trade offers. The Cardinals are already doing so, with at least six teams having spoken with Arizona about the No. 3 choice.

Panthers To Host C.J. Stroud; Anthony Richardson Still In Mix At No. 1?

April 13th, 2023 at 1:30pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers will conclude their pre-draft quarterback visits next week. After meeting with Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson, the team will bring in C.J. Stroud, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

Stroud’s visit will overlap with Will Levis‘ previously reported meeting; both QBs are coming to Charlotte on Tuesday. While Stroud is believed to have lost ground to Young to be the top pick, the Ohio State-developed passer is still believed to be in the mix. Richardson might be as well. The former Florida QB remains in consideration for Carolina at No. 1, Joseph Person of The Athletic adds (subscription required).

Richardson, who has consistently been mocked as a top-10 pick, only started one season for the Gators. But the 6-foot-4, 244-pound QB presents a Cam Newton-like athletic profile. Although Richardson completed just 53.8% of his passes last season, his potential ceiling has continued to intrigue teams. While some doubt about teams’ interest in Richardson as a top-three pick has emerged, the Panthers may not have closed the door on what would be a surprising choice at No. 1.

Young emerged last week as the likely Carolina choice at 1, with several Panthers staffers believed to be high on the former Heisman winner. The Panthers taking Richardson over Young or Stroud would qualify as one of the bigger upsets atop the draft in recent history. Then again, the Jaguars made a similar move last year by going with Travon Walker‘s potential over the safer pick in Aidan Hutchinson. Of course, the stakes are a bit higher when this decision involves quarterbacks.

Richardson’s 4.43-second 40-yard dash topped QBs at this year’s Combine, though some of the passers did not partake in the sprint, and his 40.5-inch vertical jump was far and away the best mark at the position. It would still be an upset for the Panthers to take Richardson over Young or Stroud, but the Gainesville native has submitted an interesting case — even if it teems with boom-or-bust potential. Young scored highest on the S2 test, measuring athletes’ information-processing capabilities and decision-making, among this year’s crop, Person adds, noting Panthers owner David Tepper views the test in high regard. Richardson also scored well.

In addition to this upcoming Charlotte trek, Stroud’s pre-draft itinerary has included meetings with the Texans, Colts, Lions and Raiders. Ohio State is soon set to see its past three starting QBs taken in the first round, with Stroud following Justin Fields and the late Dwayne Haskins. Stroud will almost definitely be picked well before either Fields (No. 11) or Haskins (No. 15) were in their respective drafts. While still in play to be the No. 1 pick, Stroud may not fall past the Texans at 2 — should the Panthers go with Young or Richardson at 1.

Stroud carried considerable momentum to be Carolina’s pick coming into last week, but even as the Young buzz has swayed the odds, the ex-Buckeye would be a safer bet compared to Richardson. Stroud finished his two-year run as a Big Ten starter with an 85-to-12 TD-INT ratio. His 6-3 frame would offer the Panthers a more conventional option compared to Young, whose 5-10 stature has created questions that have undercut the Alabama alum’s otherwise sterling profile. Neither Stroud nor Young provided much production on the ground in college, but each presents a decent athletic profile — though, neither is on the level of Richardson in this area.

Latest On Draft’s QBs: Young, Panthers, Texans, Hooker, Vikings, Richardson, Levis

April 12th, 2023 at 2:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

With each passing day, the reality of Bryce Young leading off the 2023 draft looks more likely. C.J. Stroud does not seem to be gaining momentum and looks set to be available when the Texans go on the clock at No. 2 overall. Although Stroud-to-Charlotte buzz emerged recently, Jason La Canfora of the Washington Post notes the Panthers have been leaning in Young’s direction for weeks. They have not deviated from that plan, and SI.com’s Albert Breer adds Carolina sees special qualities in the 5-foot-10 passer.

Buzz regarding Frank Reich preferring the 6-3 Stroud has died down, with multiple reports last week indicating the Panthers — who hosted Young on Tuesday — are big fans of the 2021 Heisman winner. This will put the Texans to a decision; their previously reported Young meeting is on tap for today, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Here is the latest from this draft’s QB crop:

Teams continue to look into Hendon Hooker, who dazzled at Tennessee before tearing an ACL in November 2022. The Texans look to have gotten a head-start with the rehabbing passer, with KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson indicating the former Virginia Tech recruit trekked to Houston for a meeting not long after the Combine (Twitter link). Hooker would be an interesting option for the Texans if they take the unexpected route and pass on a QB at 2. While the Texans’ No. 12 overall pick would be a bit early for Hooker, who turned 25 earlier this year, they hold the No. 33 overall pick as well. Of course, the team might be in a bit of trouble at QB1 this season were it to take this highly unexpected path. Case Keenum and Davis Mills are Houston’s current QBs.
It should not be assumed Hooker will drop out of Round 1, however, given the annual demand at this rather important position. Rival executives are connecting Hooker to the Vikings, La Canfora adds. Minnesota would make for an interesting landing spot, having merely restructured Kirk Cousins‘ contract — after extending him in 2020 and 2022 — this offseason. Cousins going into a contract year will put the onus on new Vikings GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah to find a successor, but Hooker would make for an unusual developmental candidate due to his age. The previous Vikes regime tried to trade up for Justin Fields two years ago. Hooker’s Lions, Buccaneers and Raiders visits are this week. Detroit’s second first-round pick (No. 18) and Tampa Bay’s only Round 1 choice (No. 19) check in ahead of Minnesota’s (No. 23).
Mel Kiper Jr.’s most recent mock draft calls for what would be a draft first: a QB-QB-QB-QB start. Part of that equation would require a team to trade into the Cardinals’ No. 3 draft slot. Arizona has received extensive interest in that pick, though some of the teams exploring a move up might be hoping Stroud falls to No. 3. A value gulf may well exist between this draft’s top two arms (Young and Stroud) and the next two options (Anthony Richardson and Will Levis), with Breer expressing doubt a team would trade to No. 3 for the Florida or Kentucky QBs. Kiper has the Titans moving up from No. 11 to No. 3 for Richardson, who displayed elite athleticism at the Combine but has just one season as a full-time starter. Similar to the Vikings’ Cousins situation, the Titans have Ryan Tannehill contracted for one more season. Trade rumors have emerged regarding the fifth-year Titan, and Ran Carthon‘s team has been connected to a trade-up.

Panthers Meet With CB Tre Flowers

April 11th, 2023 at 4:03pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although teams’ primary focuses are on the draft presently, a number of notable free agents remain on radars. The Panthers huddled up with one of them recently.

Tre Flowers met with Carolina brass, according to ESPN.com’s Field Yates (on Twitter). The five-year veteran cornerback spent the past two seasons with the Bengals but has a clear tie to the Panthers. Carolina GM Scott Fitterer‘s lengthy Seattle tenure overlapped with much of Flowers’ three-plus-season run in the Pacific Northwest.

Fitterer resided as one of John Schneider‘s right-hand men when the Seahawks drafted Flowers in the 2018 fifth round. Continually preferring to wait on corners and develop them, rather than pay up to keep non-Richard Sherman pieces at the position, the Seahawks have had continued success with Day 3 coverage investments. Sherman proved the exception regarding an extension, but the Hall of Fame candidate was also a Day 3 draftee. Flowers came in shortly after the Seahawks cut bait on Sherman’s second contract.

Now 27, Flowers has spent much of the past two seasons as a Cincinnati backup. Despite Chidobe Awuzie‘s injury, the Bengals did not use Flowers as a starter last season. The 6-foot-3 defender did play 171 defensive snaps, however, and has two seasons of starter experience. Flowers intercepted a pass last season — his first since a three-INT 2019 — but remained on the backup level during his one-year, $1.85MM deal.

The Seahawks gave Flowers 30 starts over his first two seasons, plugging him into their lineup immediately. The organization soured on Flowers in 2020, benching him before waiving him during the 2021 season. Fitterer was in Carolina when Seattle waived Flowers.

The Panthers have Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson atop their corner group, and former top-10 pick C.J. Henderson remains on the roster as well. Henderson, whom Fitterer and Matt Rhule acquired in 2021, struggled last season. Both he and 2021 fifth-rounder Keith Taylor ranked outside the top 100 at the position, per Pro Football Focus, last season. The Falcons also brought in Flowers, who has worked as a boundary corner, for a visit earlier this offseason. But Atlanta has signed Mike Hughes and traded for Jeff Okudah, the latter move transpiring earlier Tuesday.

Draft Rumors: Young, Panthers, Stroud, Texans, Colts, Smith, Lions, WRs, Cardinals, Titans, Falcons, Johnston, Jaguars, Vikings

April 10th, 2023 at 8:16pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Panthers have not locked onto Bryce Young just yet, but the pendulum continues to swing toward the Alabama prospect over C.J. Stroud. David and Nicole Tepper spent extensive time with Young’s parents at Alabama’s pro day last month, Albert Breer of SI.com notes, and Michael Lombardi said during his GM Shuffle podcast the Carolina owner met with Nick Saban in the Crimson Tide HC’s office during the pro day. This comes after reports last week began to stray from the Stroud-to-Charlotte narrative, one that formed largely because Young stands 5-foot-10 and plays under 200 pounds (despite his 204-pound Combine weight).

Carolina will meet with Young on Tuesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets, with Breer adding Young has already impressed Frank Reich in previous settings. It will be interesting to see if more smoke emerges here, as the Panthers do not exactly have to keep this a secret given their updated draft position, or if Stroud remains in the mix. Many scouts and execs polled by ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler said Stroud’s 6-3, 214-pound frame make him safer and will help him become Carolina’s choice, though that poll still produced a slim advantage for Young to go No. 1 overall. Despite the Panthers meeting with Anthony Richardson and Will Levis, it certainly looks like Young or Stroud will be the pick.

Here is the latest from the draft scene:

The Colts discussed the No. 1 pick with the Bears before the Panthers won out, but Breer adds Indianapolis was not ready to do a deal before free agency. The team was still in the process of evaluating the QB prospects and was not prepared to part with significant capital to move up from No. 4 to No. 1. Houston also backed out, having been farther down the road in trade talks with Chicago. Bears GM Ryan Poles spoke of his team trading down twice — moving from 1 to 2 to 9, allowing the Texans and Panthers to climb up for QBs — but Breer notes Nick Caserio‘s team became uncomfortable with the deal later in the process.
Texans ownership is more involved in this year’s draft process, per Breer, who is less bullish on Houston selecting a quarterback compared to how this situation looked ahead of the Combine. The Texans’ negotiations with the Bears unmasked them as being willing to trade up for one particular quarterback, potentially pointing to the team being high on either Stroud or Young but not as sold on the other. Since the Panthers obtained the pick, the Texans have been connected to possibly punting on their QB need and taking Will Anderson Jr.. A trade-down scenario, per Breer, should also not be discounted.
Nolan Smith is gaining steam during the pre-draft process, with Fowler noting some scouts are pegging the edge rusher as a top-10 pick. The Lions (Nos. 6, 18) have done homework on the Georgia outside linebacker, per Fowler, and the Patriots (No. 14), Buccaneers (No. 19), Ravens (No. 22) and Jaguars (No. 24) have met with Smith. Scouts view the 238-pound defender as a better fit for a team in a 3-4 scheme, and the Steelers (No. 17) — long users of that base alignment — have emerged as a potential Smith floor.
More teams are bringing in TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston. Following a report that indicated the Ravens, Cowboys and Chiefs were hosting Johnston, KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson notes the 6-foot-3 pass catcher will meet with the Cardinals, Falcons (No. 8), Vikings (No. 23) and Jaguars. Most of these visits will occur this week, per NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport, who adds the Titans (No. 11) huddled up with the ex-Horned Frog on Monday (Twitter link). Barring a fall into Round 2 or the Cards moving down considerably from No. 3 overall, Johnston would not seem in their range. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has the Vikings selecting Johnston. This receiver class has generated mixed reviews, with NBC Sports’ Peter King adding teams have the higher-end wideouts in varying orders on their respective boards, but Johnston has consistently been mocked as a first-rounder.

Panthers To Sign DL John Penisini

April 8th, 2023 at 6:59pm CST by Adam La Rose

John Penisini‘s time in the NFL appeared to be over after only two seasons played, but that may no longer be the case. The defensive lineman is set sign with the Panthers this coming week, as noted (on Twitter) by his agent David Canter.

Penisini began his career as a Lions draftee. In his rookie campaign, he started 12 of 16 games and logged a snap share of 51%. His level of play while logging such a notable workload raised expectations for him in the future, but things took a turn for the worst in the subsequent offseason. The former sixth-rounder underwent surgery to remove large masses from each of his shoulders.

Penisini was able to suit up for 16 contests in 2021, but saw his playing time drop dramatically. He had been unable to recover as hoped from the shoulder issues, and announced his retirement last June. The Lions thus placed him on the reserve/retired list for an extended stretch, though they waived him last month. That left the Utah product free to sign with any team in the event he felt a comeback was possible.

That is obviously now the case, with a Carolina deal in place. Aged 25, Penisini could have plenty of productive time available to him if he were able to remain healthy moving forward. This contract will provide him with the opportunity to compete for a roster spot in training camp, and a rotational role along the team’s defensive front if things go according to plan.

Carolina has Derrick Brown, Bravvion Roy and recently re-signed Henry Anderson in place as holdovers from their 2022 d-line. Matthew Ioannidis remains a free agent, but the Panthers have added Shy Tuttle on a three-year, $19.5MM deal. Penisini will look to carve out a role amongst that group as he eyes an NFL return.

Panthers Leaning Toward Bryce Young?

April 7th, 2023 at 10:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

In what looks to be signaling a shift, Bryce Young is looking like a strong candidate to go No. 1 overall now. Although C.J. Stroud continues to be the leadoff man in the major mock drafts, Young-Panthers links are multiplying.

Even as Panthers-Stroud connections persist, Frank Reich-driven height concerns re: Young might be overblown. Carolina’s trade-up may have been Young-centered all along, with ESPN’s Chris Mortensen indicating during a recent TV appearance (h/t Panthers On Tap) the Alabama prospect will likely be the No. 1 overall pick.

A report from longtime NFL insider Peter King revealed Young has plenty of support in Carolina’s building, and Mortensen confirms the Panthers are big fans of the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner. While Young’s 5-foot-10 stature and slender frame has injected uncertainty into an otherwise standout prospect’s viability, he displayed high-level accuracy and pocket movement during a dominant two-year run as the Crimson Tide’s starter.

Young is set to become the third straight Alabama starting quarterback to be a first-round pick, and he will undoubtedly be selected higher than Tua Tagovailoa (No. 5) and Mac Jones (15) were in their respective drafts. Mortensen also likened this Panthers situation to the 49ers’ 2021 process, doubling down on the notion San Francisco indeed had Jones in mind when it traded up nine spots to No. 3 that year. The 49ers’ course change to Trey Lance is close to being viewed as one of the bigger draft missteps — considering what the team gave up to obtain that pick — in recent draft history, and Mortensen said the Panthers should be expected to stick with their initial preference (Young) instead of going through with a size-based Stroud pivot.

Young would obviously bring a considerably different type of QB into the building compared to the last time Carolina selected a passer at No. 1. At 6-3 and 214 pounds, Stroud is also not especially close to Cam Newton here (6-5, 245). Reich has been mentioned as preferring big-frame QBs, but this will be his first significant draft choice at the position as a head coach. Though, he was the Eagles’ OC when they traded up for the 6-5 Carson Wentz in 2016. Panthers GM Scott Fitterer was with the Seahawks when they drafted Russell Wilson. While drafting a quarterback 75th overall is rather different than a No. 1 pick, Fitterer has obviously seen a short quarterback enjoy tremendous success up close.

Reich and Fitterer have brought several Panthers staffers into this process, and the new HC is not viewed as likely to overturn a consensus. The Panthers taking this route would leave Stroud on the board for the Texans, who have been more connected to Young during the pre-draft process. Stroud met with the Texans on Wednesday.

QB Will Levis To Visit Colts, Panthers, Titans

April 7th, 2023 at 3:57pm CST by Adam La Rose

Much of the quarterback speculation for this year’s draft has concerned the order in which the presumed top two passers, Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud, will hear their names called. Will Levis remains an intriguing option for a number of teams set to pick near (or at) the top of the board, though, and the Kentucky product has a busy visitation schedule ahead.

It came out earlier this month that Levis was one of several signal-callers Indianapolis hosted for a private workout, an avenue the team preferred to sending a heavy presence to their respective pro days. To little surprise, the Colts will take that one step further by hosting him on a formal visit today, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Levis will also meet with the Panthers and Titans soon, Wilson notes.

The Colts have shown interest in Young and Stroud, though it is widely expected the team will not be able to land either prospect since they hold the fourth overall pick. Indianapolis is seeking a long-term solution under center, something they have been searching for since Andrew Luck‘s retirement. Team officials have only marginally left the door open to a Lamar Jackson pursuit, something which would carry a massive cost in finances and draft capital; preferring a Levis selection would thus be understandable, in spite of the degree to which he is an unknown after his up-and-down performances with the Wildcats.

Carolina’s move up to the top pick allowed them to have a free choice of their top-rated QB. It appeared for some time that Stroud was the team’s preference, but they now appear to favor Young. In any case, Levis’ frame (6-3, 222 pounds) gives him a profile which could appeal to new Panthers head coach Frank Reich, who has historically worked with larger pocket passers. A trade-down on Carolina’s part would likely need to take place for Levis to realistically be in their range.

Tennessee, on the other hand, has been linked to potentially moving up from the No. 11 slot to add a successor to Ryan Tannehill. The Titans drafted Malik Willis last year, but his limited game action wasn’t sufficient to demonstrate he would be capable of handling a starter’s role this year or next. Jumping ahead of the Colts might be necessary to secure Levis, though his market will likely depend on that of Anthony Richardson, the other X-factor at the position presumed to go on Day 1.

The Raiders (who own the seventh overall pick) have also hosted Levis, demonstrating the widespread interest shown in the former Penn State transfer. Maneuvering up and down the board in the top 10 may take place if teams key on Levis as a project worth a premium investment.

Bears Also Targeted Brian Burns, Derrick Brown; Panthers Discussed Trades With Cardinals, Seahawks

April 7th, 2023 at 1:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Rams’ 2016 trade-up for Jared Goff involved only picks being exchanged with the Titans, whereas the Falcons’ 2001 move for Michael Vick featured a player and draft choices going to the Chargers. Standout return man Tim Dwight went to San Diego in that deal. Ryan Poles preferred the latter structure, leading to the pre-free agency swap that featured D.J. Moore and picks going to the Bears.

Chicago’s second-year GM zeroed in on a picks-and-players package when he began dangling the No. 1 overall pick, Joe Person, Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic report (subscription required). The Bears had other targets beyond Moore. Unsurprisingly, they were the two other top trade chips that came up at last year’s trade deadline. Chicago also targeted Brian Burns and Derrick Brown.

Poles sought advice from Chicago Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson, per The Athletic, citing the NHL as relevant reference material regarding trades involving picks and players. The Bears first heard from the Panthers on a trade, after Carolina — even though team brass met with Derek Carr at the Combine — determined a rookie passer would be the plan after three seasons of veteran retreads post-Cam Newton. Chicago also discussed the pick with Houston and Las Vegas, but Poles’ relationship with Carolina GM Scott Fitterer helped move the intra-NFC trade past the goal line.

The Panthers’ first offer included only picks, per The Athletic, but Poles informed Fitterer picks alone would not be enough to allow the Panthers to move from No. 9 to No. 1. Carolina pulled that proposal, and Burns, Brown and Moore came up. All three players emerged as targets at last year’s deadline — none more so than Burns, who drew a two-first-rounder offer from the Rams. The picks included in that proposal were in 2024 and 2025, however, leading the Panthers to pass.

“There were certain players that we never really wanted to trade,” Fitterer said, via The Athletic. “It’s so hard to replace a Derrick Brown or Brian Burns, a pass rusher [and] an interior, dominant young player on a [first] contract. D.J., we didn’t want to move either. But it’s a little bit easier to replace a receiver than it is a pass rusher or a three-tech.”

Burns is entering his fifth-year option season, while Brown is going into Year 4. Both players arrived before Fitterer did, but the team has long planned to hammer out an extension with Burns. Fitterer’s comments on Burns’ value stand to strengthen the defensive end’s negotiating position. The Panthers are aiming to do a Burns extension after the draft. They will likely target receivers in the draft, though signings of Adam Thielen and DJ Chark lessen that need a bit.

Prior to pulling off the trade with the Bears, the Panthers discussed prospective deals with the Cardinals for the No. 3 pick and the Seahawks for the fifth choice. Neither negotiation gained much steam, per Person, even given Fitterer’s lengthy past in Seattle. The Colts also checked in with the Bears, according to Jahns and Fishbain. That certainly adds up, given Indianapolis’ post-Andrew Luck history and both Poles and Colts GM Chris Ballard having worked together in Kansas City.

The second-round picks exchanged here provided another interesting component in this seminal swap. The Bears wanted the Panthers’ No. 39 overall pick, according to The Athletic. Reluctant to part with it due to the gap that would exist between Carolina’s Nos. 1 and 61 overall picks, Fitterer counteroffered the 61st selection (obtained in the Christian McCaffrey trade) and a 2025 second. Instead of collecting one second-round pick, the Bears ended up with two in this trade — one that also will send Carolina’s 2024 first to Chicago. After David Tepper pushed for Deshaun Watson in 2021 and ’22, the Panthers determined this was the time to strike.

“I think when you’re at No. 9 — hopefully we’re not at No. 9 moving forward — this was an opportunity that we felt like, ‘Hey, this is the highest, hopefully, that we’re going to be in the future, so let’s take advantage of this, let’s be aggressive,” Panthers assistant GM Dan Morgan said, via the Charlotte Observer’s Mike Kaye. “Let’s trade up and let’s try to go get our quarterback.”

Considering the Panthers have held top-10 picks from 2020-22, it is not as though holding the No. 9 choice was rare draft real estate for the struggling team. Matt Rhule led the charge for the Panthers to stay at No. 7 and pass on a QB in 2020, rather than leapfrog both the Dolphins and Chargers for Justin Herbert, and the Panthers — after a failed Matthew Stafford pursuit — traded for Sam Darnold in 2021. The 2022 draft featured a poorly regarded QB crop, leading to Carolina taking Ikem Ekwonu at No. 6.

As the Panthers determined they wanted a first-round QB, the Bears viewed this year’s crop as impressive but not to the point it would bail on Justin Fields and make him their avenue toward stockpiling future picks. Instead, the Bears will be targeting non-quarterback options at 9. Pass rusher will be a consideration.

“Play the percentage game, it’s probably a chance one [quarterback] slides in, but … there’s different tiers in the first round,” Poles said (via Jahns and Fishbain) of the prospect of more QBs going from Nos. 2-8 will help keep high-end position players on the board at 9. “There’s always that cut-off of ‘elite’ and then it’s ‘very good starters.’ I know we’ll be in range for the players that are going to be in that first round that kind of hit that value bucket and for our team are going to make us better.”

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