Christian McCaffrey has not been on the field since he signed his massive contract that made him the highest paid running back in NFL history. McCaffrey has played in just 10 games over the past two seasons due to injuries.
For that reason, trade rumors have surfaced.
McCaffrey has heard the trade rumors all season long, but he is not letting it get to him.
“All that stuff is for the birds,” McCaffrey said of the rumors. “I don’t really pay attention to any of that stuff. I love Charlotte. I love the Panthers. I want to do it here.”
The GM spoke on those rumors Monday when he stated the Carolina Panthers have “no intention at all” of trading star player Christian McCaffrey, but left the door open for the Pro Bowl running back to be used more as a slot receiver moving forward.
“There was a report back in November that we were actively trying to trade him, and I told him that was not true,” general manager Scott Fitterer said Monday of his exit interview with McCaffrey following the Panthers’ 5-12 season. “What I did tell him was, ‘Hey, listen, I’ll take any call. Call and make any offer you want.’
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“‘That doesn’t mean we’ll do it. That doesn’t mean we’re shopping you.’ I look at Christian as a foundation piece on this team. We’re a better team when he’s on the field. He’s one of the elite players in the NFL.”
Mccaffrey missed 10 of 17 games this past season with a strained hamstring suffered in Week 3 and a left ankle sprain he suffered in Week 12. He just may need to transition to doing other things so he doesn’t take as much punishment on his body.
However, when McCaffrey was asked if it would benefit him healthwise to play more slot, he deadpanned, “No.”
“I fully expect Christian to be here next year,” head coach Matt Rhule said. “I look for Christian to come back and be healthier than ever.”
