While Cam Newton‘s Panthers status is still uncertain, longtime Carolina stalwarts Luke Kuechly and Greg Olsen are out of the picture. And another sign the Panthers are rebuilding may come on the trade market.
The Panthers are shopping five-time Pro Bowl guard Trai Turner, according to Jenna Laine of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Carolina extended Turner in 2017, and despite going into his seventh season, the former third-round pick will only be 27 by Week 1.
Turner would almost certainly bring back value for the Panthers, who have paid all the guaranteed money left in the acclaimed blocker’s contract. The Panthers prioritized Turner over Andrew Norwell — whom they let walk in 2018 — and the former’s four-year, $45MM pact looks somewhat team-friendly now that the guard market is likely set to move past the $15MM-per-year benchmark.
Carolina is now likely to lose James Bradberry as well, and is unlikely to bring back Dontari Poe. the franchise’s $34MM-plus in cap space ranks on the lower end entering free agency. A Turner departure would also make matters more difficult for Christian McCaffrey and Newton, if the injury-prone quarterback is indeed back.
But the Panthers are believed to be high on potential 2021 early-entry quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. Gutting this year’s team and adding draft capital would be a clear way to help move into position to land one of those passers.
I expect Cleveland to make a push. Berry wants to be aggressive and this would help remedy the damn Zeitler trade
He’d be a really good fit for them, but I think it would depend on if they can get an impact right tackle (like Conklin) in free agency.
If they do, they’d already be paying him, Tretter, and Bitonio big money, so having a fourth lucrative contract on the line might be tough.
But…if they sign Conklin and get Turner, THEN draft a left tackle at 10, that line would be really good. Really expensive, but really good.
there is no way this guy steals 40 bases this year
Tanker(s) beware, ‘Fins tried it and came in 5th this season.
Basically they are starting from scratch with just McCaffrey’s legs to carry them through NFL purgatory.
Should trade McCaffrey out to at this rate. By the time the Panthers will be competitive again, McCaffrey will be very expensive. Or McCaffrey simply won’t make it to the other side. A pity to see such a talented and hard working player waste his career.
Every position now seems to command $15 million + for first rate starter. The math on just 22 starters (there’s actually more like 28 taking just the core alternative looks) that works out to $315 million. No salary cap will be enough.
The NFL has to put some salary caps on position which allow the money to be spread out a bit more fairly and allow teams to retain far more of their home grown stars.
The players association would probably vote that in in a jiffy as the vast majority would benefit from the money being spread more evenly.
There’s not a single team that has a first rate starter at every position.
Even if that was true, most of the highest-paid interior linemen, safeties, and tight ends don’t even sniff $15 million a year. That knocks out about six starters right there.
Also, the key to having a successful team is drafting well and taking advantage of rookie deals to keep talent cheap.
Carolina should get a pair of second or third round picks for Turner.