When the Carolina Panthers made the decision to trade three-time 1,000-yard receiver D.J. Moore as part of the package for Bryce Young, they knew there would be challenges supplying their rookie QB with an elite cast of pass-catchers.
The hope was that adding D.J. Chark and Adam Thielen to a core that already had Terrace Marshall and Tommy Tremble would be enough to help Young thrive as a rookie. But that hasn’t been the case through his first eight starts, where the Panthers have the second-least explosive passing offense in the NFL (4.4 net yards per passing attempt).
While Thielen, who has 652 yards in nine games, has been as advertised, the Panthers knew they needed to bring in more talent ahead of the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline. Not having their 2024 first-round selection puts the pressure on them to win right away but also leaves the Panthers with reduced draft capital to offer in trades.
And it’s not like Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer didn’t try trading for a star receiver.
According to ESPN’s David Newton, the Panthers attempted to trade for Davante Adams and Tee Higgins ahead of this season’s NFL trade deadline. Yet, both teams didn’t want to hurt their chances to win down the stretch either, and both players remained with their respective teams.
Typically teams in Carolina’s situation become sellers, but again, not having their first-round selection led to a different approach for the Panthers, who also reportedly tried trading for Montez Sweat, who ended up in Chicago instead.
While the Panthers struck out ahead of the deadline, they’re set to have plenty of cap space this offseason. If Higgins is a player this front office truly covets, they may have the chance to negotiate a contract with him, as the 24-year-old is expected to reach unrestricted free agency this offseason. As for Adams, he’s under contract through 2026, but the 31-year-old likely wants to play for a team ready to win right away as he chases his first Super Bowl ring.
Related: See where Bryce Young lands in Sportsnaut’s NFL QB rankings