3 reasons the Carolina Panthers were right to trade Christian McCaffrey

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, which was the correct call to make all things considered.

What a tumultuous two-week span the Carolina Panthers have had.

From the firing of former head coach Matt Rhule after a 1-4 start to Robbie Anderson’s sideline explosion on the sidelines and eventual trade to the Arizona Cardinals, fans could sense the franchise was about to embark on some landmark changes.

Ever since David Tepper’s move to replace Rhule, numerous players on the team had been linked to potential trades around the NFL. One of the most common names in the national media was Christian McCaffrey.

Drafted in the first round in 2017, McCaffrey has been one of the more elusive, productive, and exciting offensive weapons to don the black and blue. Unfortunately, after signing a four-year, $64 million contract, various injuries have kept the All-Pro on the sideline for 23 of 33 games throughout the last two seasons before the current campaign.

Finally healthy, McCaffrey has been a one-man offensive show in 2022. Even if Carolina’s offense has been the league’s worst in multiple key categories under beleaguered coordinator Ben McAdoo.

During Thursday Night Football, general manager Scott Fitterer traded McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for a 2023 second, third, and fourth-round picks, and a 2024 fifth-rounder. This lands the running back on a contending team and leaves the Panthers without their most productive playmaker.

Despite this, here are three reasons why this was the right move for Carolina.