NFL’s short memory evident once again with Christian McCaffrey
By Dean Jones
Should the Carolina Panthers trade Christian McCaffrey?
Unless the prize is Deshaun Watson, trading Christian McCaffrey this offseason is unfathomable. And even then, much would depend on what else the Carolina Panthers would have to give up to land the former Clemson star from the Houston Texans.
The thought of Carolina just giving up on McCaffrey after one season of injury problems and with five years remaining on his deal is highly questionable from the outside looking in. This is a player who’s been a bell cow on offense and even though running backs don’t tend to move the needle like a primary signal-caller, getting some draft picks in return to select college prospects who may or may not work out sends the wrong message.
It’s clear the Panthers are hell-bent on getting a new quarterback this offseason. So whether McCaffrey becomes a sacrificial lamb in any trade discussions – should they eventually transpire – where Watson is concerned remains to be seen.
But the organization would be far worse off not having McCaffrey in the backfield.
This is all just speculation and Carolina hasn’t given one single indication that their star running back is on the trade block. However, these rumors might just help them in the long run if McCaffrey becomes that little bit more inspired as a result.
Missing so much competitive action last time around is bound to have McCaffrey chomping at the bit. But the way he’s being dismissed and undervalued by some media outlets during the offseason so far means there will be an extra point to prove from the player’s perspective.