Is Carolina Panthers WR Robby Anderson looking for a way out?

Could Carolina Panthers wide receiver Robby Anderson be looking for a way out after reports surfaced surrounding interest in a New York Jets reunion?

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out things didn’t go well for Robby Anderson last season. The wide receiver was tipped by many to build on the finest campaign of his professional career after signing for the Carolina Panthers in 2020 free agency and the team was clearly confident in this after giving the wideout a two-year extension before competitive action began.

Anderson was unable to reach the same heights. In fact, his 519 receiving yards were the lowest he’s ever accumulated since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2016.

This was an absolute disaster. Anderson’s early season efforts came with plenty of costly individual errors and the player could not find the right chemistry with quarterback Sam Darnold that resulted in a few visible outbursts of frustration on the sidelines.

Just what comes next for Anderson is uncertain. He has the team’s fourth-highest cap number next season at $16.83 million and if a recent report is to be believed, the wideout could be putting out some feelers regarding a potential move away from Carolina this offseason.

Carolina Panthers WR Robby Anderson is interested in a New York Jets return

D.J. Bien-Aime of the New York Daily News stated that Anderson was interested in returning to the New York Jets, where he spent the first four seasons of his career before reuniting with his former college coach Matt Rhule in Carolina. However, some unfinished business and a clear upgrade at the quarterback position has clearly not gone unnoticed by the receiver based on the reporter’s comments.

"“If Anderson is moved, the Jets are his preferred designation, a source said. He feels like he has unfinished business in New York and likes Zach Wilson’s talent.”"

Now, this is not to say the Jets are interested in acquiring Anderson – at least not right now anyway. But reports like this don’t just jump out of thin air and Bien-Aime is pretty well connected when it comes to Gang Green players past and present.

Trading Anderson would cost the Panthers around $7.67 million in dead cap, which represents a saving of $9.16 million. Although what sort of compensation they could expect in return is debatable considering how much the player struggled in 2021.

It’s also worth recalling another report earlier this week from Danoel Jeremiah of the NFL Network, who stated that the Jets and New York Giants were willing to become middlemen for any team looking for a veteran quarterback – giving up draft picks in exchange for proven contributors. The Panthers could be one such organization and might include Anderson in any package should the opportunity arise.

Something was clearly amiss with Anderson last season. If he is casting alluring glances at what’s currently transpiring at MetLife Stadium, then the best thing for the Panthers might be to give the Jets a call and see if the feeling is mutual.

Anderson would help the Jets and Zach Wilson. But whether they’d be willing to take on his contract is the key component to this scenario.

For Anderson, this could be the start of his exit process. Which would be an incredibly disappointing end to his Panthers career.