Are the Carolina Panthers going into rebuild mode?
It seems like the team is willing to start from scratch after firing Matt Rhule.
The former Baylor mentor finished his stint in Carolina with an 11-27 record and 0-24 when allowing more than 21 points.
Likewise, quarterback Baker Mayfield will be out indefinitely due to a high ankle sprain.
P.J. Walker will take his place, and Jacob Eason may be elevated from the practice squad as his backup.
Even with Mayfield playing, their offense has gone nowhere.
The former Oklahoma standout is completing less than 60 percent of his passes.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are last in the league in total yards, with 271.4 yards per game.
They also ranked 25th in points, averaging 18.6 per game.
The Panthers are compiling these numbers despite having the likes of Christian McCaffrey, D.J. Moore, Laviska Shenault, and Robbie Anderson.
The squad is showing no direction, and it’s best for them to restart.
However, it may take more than their remaining picks in the NFL Draft to upgrade their roster.
Just a reminder: Because of previous trades, the #Panthers currently have FOUR draft picks in 2023.
1st
2nd
4th
5thThat's it—and that's why many are speculating vets could be available for picks
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) October 10, 2022
ESPN draft analyst and insider Matt Miller tweeted, “Just a reminder: Because of previous trades, the #Panthers currently have FOUR draft picks in 2023: 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th. That’s it—and that’s why many are speculating vets could be available for picks.”
Some of the players that might be made available for trade are McCaffrey and defensive end Brian Burns, who already has four sacks in five games this season.
How The Panthers’ 2023 Draft Stock Diminished
The Panthers traded their 2022 fourth-round pick and 2023 third-round selection to move up in this year’s draft.
They used the pick acquired from the New England Patriots to select quarterback Matt Corral.
Meanwhile, the Patriots used the fourth-rounder from Carolina to get Bailey Zappe.
The Panthers also traded their 2023 sixth-rounder to New England for Stephon Gilmore.
The former Defensive Player of the Year is now with the Indianapolis Colts.
Finally, Carolina traded their 2023 seventh-rounder to get Shenault from the Jacksonville Jaguars.
NEXT: Panthers Still Owe Matt Rhule An Obscene Amount Of Money