According to CBS Sports, Carolina has “fielded more than one call” for running back Christian McCaffrey. The Panthers reportedly would require a first-round draft pick and “another piece of compensation” to move forward with any deal for the former All-Pro.
Since signing a deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid running back, McCaffrey has struggled to stay on the field. McCaffrey, who’s missed 23 games over the last two seasons with multiple injuries, is still by far the team’s best and most recognizable player when healthy.
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said in January that the team had “no intentions right now” of trading McCaffrey. He did state, that he would take “any call” to hear what other teams might offer.
“I look at Christian as a foundation piece of this team, one of those building blocks. We’re a better team when he’s on the field,” Fitterer said in January. “He’s one of the elite players in the NFL. I would love for him to be here, but I will never not take a call. If somebody calls and offers something crazy, yeah, you would look at it.”
Before the 2020 season, McCaffrey signed a $64 million contract extension through 2025 — making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history.
His most recent injury came in Week 12 when he hurt his ankle in a loss to Miami and did not play the remainder of this past season.
McCaffrey, who turns 26 in June, recorded 785 yards from scrimmage on 136 touches with a pair of touchdowns in 2021.
