4 trades the Panthers should consider to boost chances in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should consider Roquan Smith
This would solve a complex riddle. One that the Carolina Panthers haven’t been able to manage since the great Luke Kuechly retired due to health issues following the 2019 season.
Damien Wilson is performing well enough without setting the world alight at middle linebacker. But someone with the credentials Roquan Smith brings to the table would be an immediate upgrade and long-term successor to Kuechly at long last.
Smith cut an emotional figure when the Chicago Bears opted to trade Robert Quinn to the Philadelphia Eagles. Something that likely came with a few calls to general manager Ryan Poles to discuss the former Georgia star’s availability.
Chicago is a team in transition to a certain extent. They seem to have the correct head coach and a quarterback in Justin Fields that can become a franchise player, but it’s a gradual process, and maximizing Smith’s value in the final year of his deal could put them in an even stronger position moving forward.
The Bears can obviously use the franchise tag on Smith when the time comes. Even if that isn’t going to make the player any happier all things considered.
This would take a huge offer. But the benefits of acquiring arguably the league’s best interior second-level defender are there for all to see.