5 trades the Carolina Panthers might consider before 2022 season opener

What trades – in or out – could the Carolina Panthers still consider before their Week 1 opener against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium?

The Carolina Panthers are entering the 2022 season in an interesting position as a team that isn’t committed to a rebuild and yet didn’t go all in this offseason. Aside from the team’s ill-advised attempt at landing Deshaun Watson, the organization avoided making splashy moves during a more methodical approach to recruitment.

The only noteworthy moves for the Panthers were acquiring Baker Mayfield to compete with Sam Darnold, signing free-agent Austin Corbett, and landing punter Johnny Hekker. While the roster looks better, it remains to be seen just how much these additions move the needle for Matt Rhule in Year 3.

Carolina has a good defense and a lot of pieces that could help to make them a surprise wildcard contender. They needed an offseason boost and Mayfield just might be that if everything goes well.

However, this is just as likely to be the disappointment that Darnold was last season. Another major gamble at the most important position on the field.

There is a reason the Cleveland Browns were so willing to move on from Mayfield. If given the opportunity, Carolina might consider making a blockbuster move before the start of the season.

That could look like acquiring a player to boost either side of the ball or addition by subtraction for two Panthers in particular. With this in mind, let’s take a look at five players that make the most sense for a trade.