The Carolina Panthers have had a lot of underachievers this season. None are more glaring than Pro Bowl right guard Robert Hunt.
But could this alarming slump see the Panthers become receptive to trade offers before the 2026 deadline?
That does seem a little drastic, especially given the injury problems along the offensive line and the Panthers still leading the NFC South. But if general manager Dan Morgan doesn't see a future for Hunt in Carolina beyond this season, it's something he might consider.
Carolina Panthers don't have enough depth to trade Robert Hunt
Hunt joined the Panthers on a four-year, $100 million contract in 2024 free agency. He shifted the offensive line's mindset immediately, forming a prolific guard tandem with Damien Lewis that was among the league's best.
He earned Pro Bowl honors for his efforts, but a torn bicep last season dented his momentum. Hunt hasn't been the same player since, and if his slump continues into the second half of 2026, the cash-strapped Panthers could make him a salary-cap casualty.
The 2020 second-round pick out of Louisiana-Lafayette counts $24.3 million against the salary cap in the final year of his deal. There are no more guarantees, but releasing him would still come with $10.3 million in dead money after the Panthers restructured his deal.
Trading him now would save much more. And ESPN beat reporter Mike Kaye pointed to the compensation Cam Jurgens and Quenton Nelson went for as a reason to potentially consider dumping Hunt before the November 10 cut-off point.
"Cam Jurgens and Quenton Nelson both warranted historic hauls in midseason swaps -- it might make sense to at least consider moving on from the 2024 Pro Bowl lineman. Trading Hunt would open up $19 million in cap space next year."
Carolina Panthers have to take their medicine and hope Robert Hunt improves
Kaye also pointed out that Carolina's offensive line depth is a complete mess, and he's right. Trading Hunt would make a bad problem worse, and with the Panthers somehow still leading the NFC South, that might be the deciding factor unless Morgan gets an offer he simply cannot refuse.
Hunt is dominant on his best day. Those have been few and far between this season, and the excuse of playing next to a rookie right tackle in Monroe Freeling doesn't really hold up.
He is being paid like one of the top-tier interior linemen in the league.
And Hunt isn't playing like one anymore.
The Panthers are in a precarious situation, and Hunt is a microcosm of that. They've spent big money to take the next step into legitimate contention, and it's not going well.
You can blame the injuries, but every team gets them, and with the schedule getting tougher from here, it'll take a lot to turn the tide.
That said, removing Hunt from the equation wouldn't be the smartest move, regardless of how poorly he's playing. And given this disappointing form, it's unlikely any team would be willing to pay what Carolina would probably want anyway.
Hopefully, Hunt can pick things up. If not, then this will likely be his final season in Carolina.
High stakes, indeed.
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