The NFC South was expected to be a three-team race. Through Week 6 and a Thursday Night Football tilt, it’s been true, except it’s been between the Falcons, Saints, and Buccaneers instead of the Panthers, who are struggling mightily.
Carolina has yet to win a game after taking Bryce Young 1st overall. The Heisman trophy winner hasn’t been the answer yet, but his supporting cast leaves a lot to be desired. With no hopes of making a push for the playoffs in 2023, the Panthers are gauging the trade market ahead of the deadline.
There’s one expiring contract that Carolina would be foolish to let walk for nothing, while others are under team control through 2024, which should drive their value up. One has already been granted permission to seek a trade — wideout Terrace Marshall Jr., according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
The LSU product has 16 catches for 114 yards in five games, including two starts, this season. Since being drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Marshall has 104 catches, 742 yards and one touchdown.
He’s not the only one, though.
Carolina isn’t selling the farm but is listening to offers, including for safety Jeremy Chinn, per Fowler. The veteran suffered a quad injury so that certainly complicates things but should return before the end of the season. Fowler notes there is interest in Chinn, who is in a contract year.
Moreover, according to Fowler, the Panthers received an interest in cornerback Donte Jackson, but Fowler notes he’s less available than Chinn and Marshall. He’s a quality corner on a reasonable contract — $1.08 million base salary this year, with a $4 million base in 2024 along with $5.7 million in roster and per-game bonuses.
The Falcons’ division rivals aren’t having a fire sale, but it’s clear the Panthers are looking toward the future and not playing for 2023 after many expected them to compete with the Falcons and Saints for the NFC South.
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