Dan Morgan spent his first offseason treading water and getting the Carolina Panthers on sounder long-term footing. After the team demonstrated notable improvements over the second half of 2024, the general manager could be more aggressive this time around.
The Panthers have already wasted the first two years of quarterback Bryce Young's rookie contract. He's extension-eligible after next season, although Carolina will probably adopt a wait-and-see approach unless the Heisman Trophy winner surges into the elite discussion.
Regardless of Young's status, the Panthers need to approach this offseason recruitment period with urgency. Money is tight, so sacrifices need to be made to strengthen the team's position. However, there is more than enough draft capital at Morgan's disposal to examine potential upgrades in the trade market if the right opportunities present themselves.
Morgan recently revealed that the Panthers plan to adopt a calculated risk strategy throughout the offseason. Everything is being done with the long-term in mind. At the same time, the right additions could see Carolina become a dark-horse contender to make the postseason during the second campaign under head coach Dave Canales.
It'll be interesting to see how the Panthers handle matters, but Morgan will turn over every stone to make this team a force once again. With this in mind, here are five blockbuster trades Carolina should consider if the specific individuals become available at any stage.
Blockbuster trades the Carolina Panthers should consider in 2025
Carolina Panthers could trade for Garrett Wilson
The Carolina Panthers would be wise to acquire a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver for Bryce Young this offseason. They are giving the signal-caller another shot in 2025 after his remarkable turnaround. Placing the necessary supporting cast around the former Alabama standout is crucial entering Year 3 of his professional career.
Keeping an eye on the developments between Garrett Wilson and the New York Jets is prudent. All was not well between the dynamic wide receiver and the club this season. Tensions rose as a season that promised much fell by the wayside. Reports of a training camp bust-up with quarterback Aaron Rodgers led the wideout to hint that his future may lie elsewhere.
That might have changed following the appointment of new head coach Aaron Glenn. He won't want to lose Wilson, although this is almost entirely dependent on Rodgers' future — something that also ties into the status of veteran pass-catcher Davante Adams.
If the Jets somehow became receptive to offers, Morgan should be among the first to pick up the phone. Acquiring Wilson wouldn't be cheap, but the benefits are astronomical.
Carolina Panthers could trade for Deebo Samuel
You'll sense a theme throughout this piece. The Carolina Panthers are in desperate need of a legitimate game-changer at the wide receiver position. That's the bottom line and something general manager Dan Morgan cannot ignore this offseason.
First-round pick Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker should improve after flashing promise as rookies. Adam Thielen isn't getting any younger, but the Pro Bowler remains a gifted route technician with assured hands for quarterback Bryce Young to depend upon in critical moments.
That's not enough. Not in today's NFL.
Morgan should examine all potential possibilities. If the San Francisco 49ers make Deebo Samuel available for trade, the Panthers would be foolish not to inquire.
Samuel hails from the region and has a close friendship with Legette, so this would be a homecoming. He remains one of the league's most destructive threats after the catch and can make things happen at all three levels of the field. The Niners might make sacrifices in the coming months with quarterback Brock Purdy's rookie contract having one more year left, and he might be a player on the chopping block.
Much will depend on the compensation involved. Samuel also has one year remaining on his current contract, so an extension could be agreed upon soon after the trade in this scenario.
Carolina Panthers could trade for Grover Stewart
As mentioned previously, the Panthers should prioritize their defense this offseason. Dan Morgan's decision to allocate almost every significant resource to the offense came at a price. One that Ejiro Evero's unit paid heavily for en route to a historically bad campaign.
This all starts in the trenches. The Panthers gave up 179.8 rushing yards per game last season and couldn't muster any semblance of consistency. Losing Pro Bowl lineman Derrick Brown after just one game didn't help, but upgrades are needed even with the former first-round pick out of Auburn coming back.
The likes of Shy Tuttle, LaBryan Ray, and DeShawn Williams aren't good enough. A'Shawn Robinson could get a reprieve, but he'll need to drastically improve his run-stopping despite some encouraging signs from a pass-rushing perspective.
Acquiring Grover Stewart from the Indianapolis Colts would change Carolina's run defense instantly. He's not getting any younger at 31 years old, but the interior force is still performing at a high level. There's also a lot to like about his versatility, boasting experience as a 4-3 defensive tackle, 3-4 defensive end, or even as a nose tackle anchoring the front.
Stewart excels against the run. His 80.0 run defense grade from Pro Football Focus ranked fourth among 219 interior defensive linemen. The Colts might be reluctant sellers, but the Panthers could do far worse than look in his direction.
Carolina Panthers could trade for Bryce Huff
Adding to the team's edge rushing options is also an achievable objective for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. It's projected to be an extremely deep draft class for defensive linemen and pass-rushers. Dan Morgan has nine picks to utilize, so this seems like a realistic avenue of pursuit.
If Morgan wants to take his chances in the trade market for someone who needs a fresh start with a long-term upside, that cannot be completely dismissed either.
Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum performed well as a tandem, but that's not enough. The Panthers lack genuine depth behind this duo. The draft can help solve that, so giving up capital for a veteran with proven production wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
In this scenario, Bryce Huff could enter the discussion. The edge force was a marquee free-agent signing by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2024 offseason after a double-digit sack campaign with the New York Jets. He couldn't reach similar heights, gaining 2.5 sacks from 39 percent of the team's defensive snaps.
Huff's injury problems made it difficult to generate momentum. He'll only be 27 years old when the 2025 campaign begins, so this is an option for the Panthers if Philadelphia decides to cut its losses after just one season.
Carolina Panthers could trade for D.K. Metcalf
Dave Canales knows D.K. Metcalf well. They spent time working closely together on the Seattle Seahawks and the wide receiver was highly complimentary of his former coach after he got the job in Carolina. Could this lead to a potential reunion in a different environment this offseason?
Metcalf is a physically dominant wide receiver who offers something different from what the Panthers already possess. He's one of few wideouts capable of taking over any game when firing on all cylinders. The former Ole Miss standout has a lot of good football left, but there are growing murmurings around the player and the Seahawks going their separate ways this offseason.
Seattle has a complex conundrum with Metcalf. He's entering the final year of his deal and is set to count over $31 million on their salary cap in 2025. The choice is simple — trade the player away for sufficient compensation or extend him.
This could be a realistic option for the Panthers. It also keeps a sense of familiarity around Canales as the head coach looks to build on a promising first year at the helm.
Any acquisition to acquire Metcalf via trade would instantly come with a long-term extension. But if the Panthers are looking for a legitimate No. 1 receiver for Bryce Young, he ticks all the boxes and more.