The firing of Matt Rhule has, as expected, led to an increase in trade chatter with respect to the Panthers. Especially as many of their other young cornerstone pieces are unlikely to be moved, attention continues to center on running back Christian McCaffrey. 
Carolina has fielded multiple offers in recent days and weeks on the 26-year-old, but few specifics have been reported to date regarding potential suitors. On that point, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones names the Broncos, 49ers, Rams and Bills as clubs which have so far displayed “varying degrees of interest” in making a trade.
Given their respective situations, each squad on that list could represent a logical destination for McCaffrey. The Colorado native would provide Denver with a short-term replacement for lead back Javonte Williams. His ACL tear will keep him sidelined until at least the start of next season, leaving veteran Melvin Gordon to handle No. 1 duties. The latter will once again hit free agency this spring, though Williams still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, which would make a McCaffrey acquisition redundant beyond the immediate future. That timeline could be the team’s only concerns at the moment, though, given their unexpected struggles offensively.
The 49ers are likewise dealing with the absence of their No. 1 back. Elijah Mitchell is recovering from an MCL sprain, but unlike Williams he will return in 2022. With a trio consisting of veterans Jeff Wilson Jr., Tevin Coleman and rookie Tyrion Davis-Price, the team ranks in the top 10 in the league in rushing yards this season (139 per game). That figure, heavily influenced by the rushing prowess of Deebo Samuel, could steer Kyle Shanahan and Co. away from a pricey acquisition.
The Rams, on the other hand, have shown a willingness to make eye-catching moves in the past and face question marks in their league-worst run game. Cam Akers will miss tomorrow’s contest for vaguely-defined reasons, and has been underwhelming in his return from an Achilles tear this season. Regardless of his intermediate- and long-term future in Los Angeles, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic tweets that the team has a number of other positions to consider augmenting in advance of the trade deadline, including the offensive line. McCaffrey, a Stanford alum, will nevertheless likely remain on their radar.
Buffalo has been mentioned previously as a fit for McCaffrey; the Bills reportedly inquired about trading for him this summer. Quarterback Josh Allen remains the focal point of their offense both in the air and on the ground, though a sizeable investment was made at the RB position this April with the second-round selection of James Cook. He, along with Devin Singletary and Zack Moss, have operated as a committee in support of Allen’s production. Complicating any Bills trade offers is the fact that they currently have just $1.2MM in cap space – the third-lowest figure in the league, and much less than the three aforementioned teams.
How Carolina handles McCaffrey (and the level of pursuit showed by these four clubs) will be a key storyline in the build-up to November’s trade deadline.
Dark Horses
Cardinals
Hopkins Brown McCaffrey Connor.
Raiders. No long term answer at RB. Pair him with Carr and Adams. Waller when healthy.
If they can figure out how to fit the money.
Raiders have much, much more pressing needs than runningback
Depending on price and how much money you’re taking on its worth a gamble esp given his team control next 3 years. He most likely opts in to 3 years 33 mill.
You can fill needs via draft and free agency.
If the asking price is ridiculous pass.
Yeah, Raiders have Jacobs. Given CMC’s injury history, the only one that’s going to throw their cards on the table will be a 2022 contender.
This situation is a this year discussion, not next year.
They’re 1-4 bro
And McCaffrey is under contract for 3 more years as he most likely opts in given his injury history it’ll be hard to find 3 year 33 mill on the open market. This is what you call a long term move.
How about the Cowboys? Zeke and Pollard are likely gone after this year.
a healthy CMC on the Niners would be over for the rest of the league
lmao
Healthy???
Like buying a used 2008 Subaru Outback with 120k miles. At some point very soon the head gasket is going to go and in this example CM is going to get hurt again and end up on IR again. Approach with caution reminds me of Percy Harvin career great talent but made of balsa wood.
Your underestimating that Subaru
ya I agree.
120k miles is nothing on a Subi
Rams. If there’s a team that needs him right now, it’s them. Teams that would be interesting: Buffalo, KC, and Miami.
Rams, sure but what can they offer? Their, “we don’t need no steenking draft” worked out last year, but I don’t think they’re going to trade any potential remaining draft capital for a guy that’s injured about as often as OBJ.
Buffalo, KC, and Miami. Totally. They could handle the risk/reward scenario.
For the Rams I believe their window is this year and maybe next before they do a reboot, so the time may be now. If Carolina is willing to take multiple picks, we may be looking at a couple of second rounders, etc. to take the contract, etc.
Well, they have no 1st, 4th or 5th round pick next year.
The Rams only have one 2nd rounder and a 3rd rounder. That’s it. (+ compensatory), they don’t have a couple 2nd rounders.
If they’re willing to give up either one of those with Stafford already having over 20 sacks this year with a bad elbow…okay, but…I just don’t see it. I just don’t think their ‘damn the draft torpedoes’ confidence is that high this year with those measures at 2-3 on the season.
Also with Stafford taking over 20 sacks in 5 games, they need to bolster their OL before bringing in more potential dead money.
I get it that it would be electric and be a big help for Stafford, but for how long? They really need a Whitworth.
CMC would last 2 weeks running behind that sieve of an offensive line.
You guys are undervaluing him. I get he has an injury history but when healthy CMC is the top rb in the nfl
Yeah, for 7 games a year if you’re lucky? He hasn’t had a full year of play since 2019, that’s before COVID era.
(That’s why he’s willing to let him go. — too much risk)
I’d be surprised if the Panthers can actually trade him. Tepper’s going to want posture fantasy money using performance value and Shanahan romanticism in a real world and his market is going to stalemate.
“We’re a much better team now that we traded our best player” – said no GM ever.
You’re assuming that they’d really want to win games during a rebuild…
Think the Rams would make a lot of sense.
They live to go for the star name guys and it’s proven to work so far for them.
Cam Akers has been underwhelming so far when not injured but Carolina could grab him in return along with a bunch of picks to begin the rebuild.
Carolina can run a backfield of Akers and Hubbard, and snare a couple picks for CMC.
CMC would be a great do it all RB for Stafford too. Can obviously take the carries but also a great catcher. Paired with Kupp and Robinson as the WRers Stafford would have no excuses
If you’ve read above….where’s the “bunch of picks” coming from as far as the Rams are concerned, and Akers has hasn’t shown too much so why would the Panthers want another teams cast off to start a rebuild…..seems they’ve burned both ends of the stick as far as the draft and have major OLine issues, as they try and keep Stafford upright….
Eagles: Sanders & ‘23 First
Don’t rule out the Eagles, Howie is capable of imploding back into an idiot at any time.
Never again will we see a Martin, smith, bettis, Dillon…. Nearly every down of Every week every year for a long career of successful starting rb. Football just isn’t the same anymore. Flags for breathing on wr and the celebrating tackles when down by 17. Priorities from the league and players are in the wrong spots, and performance levels are ticking down down down.
Not surprising really that those teams would be interested. The 9ers maybe slightly, but Mitchell going down definitely opens a need that the erstwhile saga of Trey Lance as a starter/not as a starter may have closed otherwise.
Denver was a team that I thought would be interested at the outset, given their win now mentality, lack of offensive production, and loss of Williams, but I’m not sure what ammunition they’d have to offer in a trade. K.J. Hamler may be their best option, given how little he’s played and his high potential, but I personally would be very disappointed to see him go if I were a Bronco. Hamler is young and McCaffery’s injury history is concerning, especially considering that Williams is likely the starter for the foreseeable future. Gordon’s fumbling may end up forcing Denver’s hand, though.
The Rams and Bills have been trying to upgrade their rushing attack for several years, so that’s no surprise. I’d argue that L.A. should be looking for offensive linemen first, but Akers being gone (it sounds like he’s out with or without a trade) will certainly make them interested. L.A. is also just aggressive by default, and stars (or former stars) drafted by other teams is their specialty. The Bills are likely the top Super Bowl favorite for the AFC (and perhaps the entire league), but their rushing game has not been to the level of the rest of the offense (minus Allen, of course). It’s not bad, it just seems as if it could be better. The Carolina connection may not be influential here, but there have been several dealings in the past between the two teams. I think that, out of everyone, the Bills have the best chance of making a good offer, but L.A. is an obvious suitor with great interest. Denver I just don’t has enough to offer, unless they offer a player, which probably will hurt them more it will help.
I’d float the Cardinals as an outside possibility, especially following Conner’s injury.
What are you thinking the Rams could offer? I agree Rams could use him. They don’t have really any 2023 draft picks. Right now I don’t think they even have cap room for him. I don’t see Carolina giving him away cheap.
Broncos have nothing to trade that would help them near or far. They have hardly enough draft capital, too many injuries and need Russell Wilson to mature at least to a Cooper Rush standard before they can take on a 3-year contract for a star running back that’s yet to play half a season.
If there’s one thing Elway was big on and did well with was eliminating dead money.
I agree. The Rams don’t have any real draft capital either. The Bills (and maybe Eagles) are the most able and likely candidate to overpay (optimistically) for a star running back with a heavy contract.
I agree with both of you. I don’t think that either team has enough in terms of draft capitol to get a deal done. The Rams always somehow find a way to mortgage their future in any given scenario, so I will yield to that, but Denver I think would have to offer at least one starter to get McCaffery. They could attempt to package Glasgow as part of a deal, as he is a starting caliber player for a team with interior line issues, but he won’t be enough. I think Denver would have to give up a player.
L.A. may be in the same boat, but I see them trying. I’m just not sure who they would try to deal-perhaps one of the receivers as well, since they would try to sign Beckham back, but I do not think that they have as many young options as Denver and Akers is not nearly valuable enough to be a tempting addition. Both teams would also certainly have to offer picks, but their value right now is on the roster, not the draft capitol.
Why is this so difficult?
When TF did we get ice cream?
Was I sleeping?
Eagles:
1st (theirs not the one from Saints)
3rd
Sanders
Carolina has 4 … FOUR … 2023 draft picks:
1st
2nd
4th
5th
Period … Full Stop ..
Do NOT Pass Go .. Do NOT Collect $200
Really wanna increase your “war chest”? Check KC’s reaction/interest in a CMC/DJ combo; for example:
1st
3rd (KC has two)
4th (KC has two)
5th (KC has two)
CEH
Juju
yeah yeah. I know, I know. Can’t hurt to reach out right?
ijs
I thought about K.C., and I wouldn’t count them out. I don’t know if they need a running back like McCaffery enough to swing in. I’m not saying that they don’t, just that I could see it going either way. Their draft capitol certainly makes it understandable. In that way, I sort of see them like Miami in that McCaffery would be another weapon for an AFC contender, but I don’t know if he is a need necessarily.
Whoever gets him will get a stud.. for 5 games a year.
Bills need to make it work somehow. They will never beat the Chiefs w/ out help for Allen.
He is a Bay Area Kid! With him and Deebo can’t imagine how teams will fight that. He will be a 49er in 2023….