Which players could the Carolina Panthers consider trading after their disastrous 0-4 start to begin the 2023 campaign under Frank Reich?
Some big upcoming decisions await the Carolina Panthers if things continue in a similar manner. Frank Reich's men are currently 0-4 following their Week 4 loss against the Minnesota Vikings and looking at the schedule, things could get worse before they get better.
With trips to the Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins before the bye, there's a real chance Carolina could be sitting at 0-6. With the trade deadline coming soon after that, one has to wonder if the Panthers begin trading assets in pursuit of securing additional draft capital without a first-round pick to call upon.
The Panthers have been keen to state this isn't a rebuild, even if the evidence suggests otherwise. General manager Scott Fitterer is under increasing pressure from the fanbase, so the next moves made must be correct in pursuit of giving the franchise a sustainable future long term.
On this topic, we picked out six players the Panthers could trade following their terrible opening to the 2023 season.
Andy Dalton - Carolina Panthers QB
After showcasing he still has what it takes to be a consistent performer in this league, the Carolina Panthers sent Andy Dalton back to the bench in favor of Bryce Young as expected versus the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran is fully aware of the situation, even if it's probably more frustrating than ever after performing so well at the Seattle Seahawks
Much will depend on the quarterback situation around the league, but if a certain team was looking for more stability under center, then they could do far worse than look in Dalton's direction. Something the Panthers would also likely consider despite his strong leadership presence.
Jeremy Chinn - Carolina Panthers DB/LB
Looking at the current state of affairs across the Carolina Panthers' depth chart, there don't appear to be many assets that could recoup decent draft capital. Again, this is not in keeping with general manager Scott Fitterer's notion that this franchise was right on the cusp of greatness with a more stable presence at football's most pivotal position.
Perhaps the Panthers could convince teams that some of their former young guns down on their luck are worth gambling on. There's no way of telling for sure at this point, but it promises to be a fluid situation - especially if Carolina ends up getting beaten twice over the next fortnight.
One potential candidate to move is Jeremy Chinn. The athletically gifted presence looks like a square peg in a round hole within Ejiro Evero's defensive system, with the staff still unsure about where the former second-round selection is best suited heading into the last year of his deal.
Chinn has the talent, he proved as much by taking the NFL by storm as a rookie. But the Panthers have plenty of mouths to feed in terms of new deals next spring and only so much money to go around, so recouping capital for certain individuals must be considered.
Much will depend on what sort of compensation the Panthers could extract for Chinn. However, there would be a shrewd team or two looking at his physical profile and thinking he could help them in some capacity.
Donte Jackson - Carolina Panthers CB
Donte Jackson is a polarizing figure among the fanbase. The speedy cornerback is what he is at this point - unless he's coming up with turnovers on occasion, he represents a liability that cannot be counted upon to provide the coverage skills needed.
That's the long and short of it regarding Jackson. He's a vocal presence within the locker room and has had bright moments throughout his career with the Carolina Panthers, but there's been a steep drop in production this season and it might be a good time to see if the organization can get something in return via trade.
It's worth remembering that the former second-round selection is coming off a torn Achilles, which could be playing a factor in subpar performances. That's another problem with Jackson - his inability to stay on the field for a consistent period - which was evident once again when he went out of the game early against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
As it turned out, the Panthers secondary actually performed more effectively without Jackson in the lineup. Make of that what you will, but the team's lack of genuine options until Jaycee Horn and Xavier Woods return makes trading the LSU product risky.
If the Panthers move to 0-6 on their bye week, it's a different story. But Jackson being owed $15.81 million in the final year of his deal in 2024 is something that's sure to put teams off in this scenario.
Terrace Marshall Jr. - Carolina Panthers WR
Most teams around the league are always willing to take chances on reclamation projects that don't work out in their first NFL environment. They always think there is a cure to fix issues, which the Carolina Panthers have also been guilty of during a revolving door at the quarterback position before Matt Rhule was mercifully fired.
Terrace Marshall Jr. is rapidly descending into this category. Big things were expected of the former second-round selection this season, which stemmed from another outstanding camp and the fact Carolina included D.J. Moore in the trade package that landed them Bryce Young at No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
Marshall has flattered to deceive once again through four weeks. He's finding it difficult to create the separation needed, bringing in 16 receptions from 24 targets for 114 receiving yards and no touchdowns.
Carolina's offense is going through some significant complications currently. Unless there's a drastic turnaround, big changes are needed in terms of schematic concepts and the personnel tasked with executing on game day.
The one-time LSU star has the physical profile to be productive, but he's one of many suffering within a bland scheme. If the Panthers end up holding a mini-fire sale if things don't improve, there should be another team ready and willing to spend a Day 3 pick on his upside if nothing else.
Frankie Luvu - Carolina Panthers LB
Of all the names on this list, Frankie Luvu is the one I would be most reluctant to move.
But at the end of the day, business is business.
Luvu is the heartbeat of the Carolina Panthers defense and is performing at a high level despite not having Shaq Thompson alongside him within Ejiro Evero's linebacking corps. His instincts and explosiveness are exemplary and the esteem in which he is held within the locker room is a testament to his meteoric rise since joining the franchise.
For the Panthers to even consider trading Luvu, the compensation must be substantial. However, that might not arrive considering the former Washington State star is in the final year of his deal and seeking a big-time extension based on his consistent production over the last three years.
As previously stated, the Panthers only have so much money to go around. Luvu would be right at the top of those deserving such a financial commitment, but this front-office regime led by Scott Fitterer is gaining a reputation for paying the wrong guys and letting more worthy players walk for nothing.
That's a dangerous combination and another sign that Fitterer might be in over his head. Unless it was a second-round pick and more, there would be uproar across the fanbase if the Panthers shipped Luvu after everything he's given to the organization.
Brian Burns - Carolina Panthers OLB
And to finish off, the elephant in the room.
Brian Burns and the Carolina Panthers have been at loggerheads for months regarding a contract extension. Even after Nick Bosa reset the market with the San Francisco 49ers - which was anticipated to speed things up - nothing concrete emerged and it appears as if the player called off talks to focus on the football side of things.
This makes Burns a free agent in 2024. Carolina could slap the franchise tag on their one consistent pass-rusher to give them extra time, but that's not going to make the player any happier when push comes to shove.
Burns looked visibly dejected when speaking to the media after their latest loss in Week 4. The former Florida State star's experienced nothing but bad football since being drafted by the Panthers, which could mean he'd welcome a move to better surroundings.
The Panthers don't have a first-round selection in 2024. Burns looks like the only player who could get that sort of compensation, although it wouldn't be anything like the offer Scott Fiutterer turned down from the Los Angeles Rams before the 2022 trade deadline.
One could make a case for that being another error by Fitterer and the front office. Once the Panthers finally realize they are rebuilding - and not softly - those in power could be receptive to any team that comes calling for Burns.
That's sad, obviously. But for Carolina, it represents the harsh reality.