2 ideal trades for Panthers highlighted by The Bleacher Report
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers trade Kawann Short to the Bills
As part of his ideal trade scenario article, Brent Sobleski had the Buffalo Bills making a trade for defensive tackle Kawann Short. The Carolina Panthers haven’t gotten much in the way of production out of the Pro Bowler over the last two years due to injury. But he might still have something to offer providing the veteran makes a full return to health.
The connections linking Short to the Bills are there for all to see. Former Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott is now the head coach in Buffalo and it’s hard to deny that he got the very best out of the player during their time together.
There are some huge financial ramifications to consider where Short is concerned in 2021. He is set to count a whopping $20.83 million against the cap and if a trade cannot be arranged, then he’ll be released to free-up just over $9 million that would be better spent elsewhere.
However, Sobleski also touted the idea of a possible restructure, which makes it more viable to move Short to pastures new and onto a team with a legitimate chance of competing for a Super Bowl.
"“Familiarity goes a long way in the NFL. Both Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane were with the Carolina Panthers when Kawann Short developed into one of the league’s best defensive tackles. Short has one year left on his deal, and it’s not cheap ($12.5 million base salary), but the two-time Pro Bowler can and should renegotiate his deal to lower the number, possibly add new guaranteed money and land in a better situation where he already has a relationship with the head coach and a familiarity with the system.”"
It’s hard to argue with the reasoning, and Short won’t pass up the opportunity of a reunion with McDermott given what the Bills achieved in 2020. This represents the best possible solution for the Panthers, who are set to move on from the former second-round pick regardless.