3 reasons the Carolina Panthers were right to trade Christian McCaffrey

Carolina Panthers need to build around a rookie QB

The Carolina Panthers quarterback position earned much attention this past offseason after drafting Matt Corral out of Ole Miss and bringing Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns. Sadly, this has not had the desired effect and the organization is now facing the prospect of starting from scratch yet again.

Corral suffered a Linsfranc injury and is out for the year. Sam Darnold is just returning from injured/reserve with a high ankle sprain, and Mayfield is nursing ligament damage in his ankle, leaving P.J. Walker as the starter right now.

With a lack of consistency and rapport with the wide receiving corps, Mayfield, Darnold, and Walker are not the long-term answer. Corral is still unknown, but he might not get the opportunity to ever push for a starting spot.

By trading Christian McCaffrey, the Panthers boosted their chances of finishing with the NFL’s worst record, which will provide them with the top overall pick in the 2023 draft.

There is a slew of talented quarterbacks available next April. Carolina can select one to mold into an All-Pro-worthy starter and face of the franchise.

Having a top-tier quarterback on a rookie contract is one of the best ways to build a solid team with the ability to compete in the playoffs. McCaffrey’s trade gives them a chance to put the right pieces around someone like Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud.

There will be some short-term pain. But in the long run, this will prove to be a wise move if the Panthers can hit on a few of these top draft picks.