3 Panthers Carolina Needs to Start Shopping on Trade Market After Week 5 Blowout

After playing solid football in Weeks 3 and 4 against the Las Vegas Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals, the Carolina Panthers came back down to earth on Sunday afternoon against the Chicago Bears.

The Bears crushed the Panthers 36-10 at Soldier Field, dropping them to 1-4 this season. It was a disappointing showing by both sides of the ball as they had no answer for Bears rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and Chicago’s defense.

With Carolina only having one win throughout the first five weeks of the season, the Panthers might need to start exploring various trade opportunities that may present themselves before next month’s trade deadline.

The Panthers have several veterans on their roster that could net them some draft capital they can use over the next couple of years. However, will general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales part ways with those vets to get the young guys more reps?

That question will be answered throughout the next few weeks. But after this weekend’s terrible performance against the Bears, here are three players Carolina should be looking to shop on the trade market.

Johnson is the Panthers’ best trade chip to utilize at next month’s deadline. The veteran wide receiver had a quiet performance Sunday against the Bears, posting three receptions (six targets) for 23 yards.

It wasn’t a typical Johnson performance that we’ve been accustomed to this season with Dalton under center. Since Dalton took over in Week 3 as the starting QB, Johnson averages 11 targets per game. 

Through five games this season, Johnson has 23 receptions (45 targets) for 262 yards and two touchdowns. The Panthers are not competing for the NFC South crown this season, so it makes sense to trade Johnson, who is scheduled to be a free agent next offseason.

Multiple teams will be looking to add a wide receiver at the deadline, hence the Davante Adams trade talks. Johnson could be an excellent consolation prize for the teams that miss out on the Adams’ sweepstakes.

If the Panthers can get a high Day 3 selection for the veteran wide receiver, they must consider it, especially if they don’t envision Johnson as a part of their long-term plans.