Which teams could become potential trade destinations for Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey during the 2022 offseason?
Not having Christian McCaffrey for 10 games this season was a critical blow for the Carolina Panthers. One that exposed just how deficient this offense is without their All-Pro running back generating significant yards as a dual-threat weapon.
This seems to be a concerning trend for McCaffrey, who turned out just three times in 2020. With the player now deemed unreliable to stay healthy for a consistent period of time, the sooner Carolina finds a way to function properly without the former first-round pick, the better their chances of success will be in 2022.
Joe Person of The Athletic recently stated that the Panthers would listen to trade offers for McCaffrey this offseason. A huge call to make considering how important the Stanford product is when fit and firing on all cylinders.
Whether another organization would take on his contract is another matter. But here are five teams that might show interest in the coming months.
Team No. 1
Las Vegas Raiders could trade for Christian McCaffrey
The Las Vegas Raiders haven’t had much consistency from Josh Jacobs or Kenyan Drake this season. Although the team deserves credit for overcoming some significant adversity throughout the 2021 season.
Las Vegas is projected to have $39.1 million in salary-cap space in 2022 before sacrifices are made elsewhere. So they have the capacity to absorb McCaffrey’s contract if there is any interest in acquiring the running back.
This would be a marquee move from the Raiders – one that’s in keeping with how Al Davis approached recruitment over the years. McCaffrey would also ease the burden on Derek Carr and perhaps even take the quarterback’s game to new heights.
Miami Dolphins could trade for Christian McCaffrey
The Miami Dolphins don’t appear that far away from entering playoff contention. Brian Flores has a talented young group who are progressing all the time, even though a suspect offensive line has proven to be their undoing on more than one occasion in 2021.
Miami does have Myles Gaskin, who has generated 631 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 16 games. However, someone like Christian McCaffrey represents a substantial upgrade on anything the Dolphins have right now, and adding the All-Pro to this high-octane offense is a mouth-watering proposition.
This makes a ton of sense from the outside looking in. Miami also has $78.98 million in spare funds currently, which makes them a lively contender to bring McCaffrey on board if the Carolina Panthers do indeed entertain offers this offseason.
Adding McCaffrey to an offense that also consists of Tua Tagovailoa, Jaylen Waddle, Gaskin, and Mike Gesicki could make the Dolphins a legitimate contender providing the player’s injury problems are now behind him.
Much will depend on the compensation Carolina is after, obviously. But the Dolphins have stacked some useful draft capital to make such a deal if they feel it would get them over the hump in a competitive AFC East division.
Houston Texans could trade for Christian McCaffrey
The Houston Texans have shown some signs of life over the second half of the season. But this is an organization clearly going through some turmoil and some big decisions have to be made by those in power during the offseason – with the future of quarterback Deshaun Watson set to be resolved at some stage.
Watson has been a long-time target for the Carolina Panthers, who could go back in for the former Clemson star this spring, according to reports from Joe Person of The Atletic and Albert Breer from Sports Illustrated. His serious legal issues need to resolve in a satisfactory fashion before any trade can be agreed upon, but team owner David Tepper remains adamant that a huge splash like this is what the franchise needs to get back into the playoff picture.
Carolina could offer Christian McCaffrey as part of the move. And the Texans do need to improve their ability in the run despite having a veteran presence in David Johnson generating carries.
McCaffrey doesn’t have a no-trade clause. So even though this would not be his preferred destination, the player wouldn’t get much of a say in the matter.
Having McCaffrey in the Texans’ backfield would be a tremendous asset for Davis Mills – the rookie quarterback that looks poised to become the team’s long-term starter after those in power decided to remove Watson from the equation.
Kansas City Chiefs could trade for Christian McCaffrey
This almost wouldn’t be fair to add Christian McCaffrey onto a Kansas City Chiefs offense that remains one of the league’s most dynamic. Andy Reid’s men do have Clyde Edwards-Helaire in the backfield, but the former LSU star has been inconsistent and injured throughout the 2021 campaign so far.
Kansas City has made a bold trade or two over the last couple of years. Providing the cost isn’t too steep, they might decide to make a daring raid for McCaffrey and make stopping them all-but impossible.
According to Spotrac, the Chiefs have around $29.35 million in cap space this offseason. Some established figures within the locker room are on the hunt for new deals, so if a trade like this becomes realistic, then some sacrifices must be made elsewhere.
Can you imagine what complications a healthy McCaffrey and quarterback Patrick Mahomes would cause opposing defenses? That’s not even accounting for Travis Kelce and Tyreek Hill making a substantial difference.
This might not be in Kansas City’s train of thought right now. But they would be a team to monitor one suspect if the Carolina Panthers do end up fielding trade offers for their best offensive weapon.
Arizona Cardinals could trade for Christian McCaffrey
The resurgence of James Conner has been nothing short of sensational this season for the Arizona Cardinals. His arrival on a prove-it deal proved to be a masterstroke by the organization and this could mean the veteran gets a longer-term commitment when the time comes to begin contract negotiations.
If Conner decides to leave in free agency for a better offer, then the Cardinals need to fill a hole alongside Kyler Murray in the backfield. Arizona does have Chase Edmonds, but he is considered more of a complementary piece rather than an every-down back.
Perhaps making a trade for Christian McCaffrey could get turn them from lively outsiders to Super Bowl favorites in 2022. The Carolina Panthers would probably aim to secure one or two draft selections to part with the All-Pro, so it remains to be seen whether Arizona or someone else takes such a gamble given his recent injury problems.
Pairing Murray and McCaffrey in the backfield would be a dominant combination. One that represents a matchup nightmare considering their respective abilities.
Out of all the options on the list, this one would be the least likely. But that could change if the Cardinals cannot extend Conner – a two-time Pro Bowler that’s scored 14 touchdowns this season.