Panthers: 3 trade targets from Chiefs due to Patrick Mahomes deal

Panthers trade target No. 3: Tyrann Mathieu (S)

Tyrann Mathieu is heading into the second year of his deal with the Kansas City Chiefs. And he has risen to one of the NFL’s top safeties in recent years.

This included a series of outstanding displays in the postseason that played a significant part in the Chiefs finally getting their hands on the Vince Lombardi Trophy. Mathieu is someone that can now be counted on to make plays consistently on the back end. And the former LSU standout possesses a natural instinct that is matched by incredible athletic skills.

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Any move from the Carolina Panthers to acquire someone like Mathieu would likely come with substantial compensation. The Chiefs do have an out regarding the player following the 2021 season. But it would be a big move to part ways with the player in order to give them some salary-cap relief.

Mathieu is set to make $14.55 million in base salary during the final year of his contract and count a whopping $19.77 million against the Chiefs’ salary cap. This is a massive figure no matter how impressive the production. So something might have to give in the wake of Patrick Mahomes’ mega-deal.

The Panthers do have Tre Boston anchoring their secondary, who was recently given a three-year extension worth $18 million. They also drafted former Southern Illinois sensation Jeremy Chinn in the second round. But it is hard to deny that Mathieu wouldn’t improve this area despite the presence of these two individuals.