Monday Morning Thoughts: What Should the Panthers Do?

Offering final thoughts on what happened in Miami.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - No one thought the Carolina Panthers would be the final winless team in the NFL six weeks into the season. Even the biggest skeptics around the NFL landscape didn't have that idea cross their minds. Yet here they are. The Panthers are 0-6 heading into the bye week and if you were wondering, no, a team has never made the playoffs after losing the first six games of the season.

This season isn't about making the playoffs, at least not now. It's about showing signs of progress and perhaps finding a handful of new key contributors along the way. Thanks to the injury bug, the coaching staff will certainly get a long look at some guys at several positions on both sides of the ball. And depending on what Carolina does at the trade deadline, those opportunities could increase.

As you've probably heard, the Panthers are going to listen and maybe even make some trade offers, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated. Breer mentioned Jeremy Chinn, Donte Jackson, and Terrace Marshall Jr. as names he's heard as being "available" for trade. He also mentioned pass rusher Brian Burns as a possibility although the team would ideally like to have him a part of this rebuild.

Three Panthers Available for Trade?

So, what should the Panthers do? I don't think there's any reason to blow the whole thing up. Just because you're 0-6 doesn't mean you're five years away from playing competitive football. You're never as bad or far away as you think, especially when you have an intriguing young quarterback already on the roster.

Does trading Burns make sense? It depends on the package of picks you get in return, really. If I'm Scott Fitterer, it has to be a rich deal that I can't pass up on. Pass rushers are hard to come by and everyone wants that top-tier guy. Yes, getting a first-round pick in 2024 would be ideal but is it really going to make that big of a difference if you're seeing Burns to a playoff contender? Probably not. You're not getting a top-five or top-ten pick. 

Trading away Jeremy Chinn and/or Terrace Marshall Jr. is the best way to go. 

Chinn hasn't played as big of a role in this defense as we all were led to believe heading into the season. Over the last two weeks, he's participated in 44 defensive snaps. On the season, he's appeared in just 52% of all defensive snaps. He's in the final year of his deal, but offers versatility as a hybrid, and somebody out there will be willing to swing a deal for him. You may get a fourth or fifth-round pick for him but at least it's something. 

Why is Jeremy Chinn Not On the Field More? Evero Explains

As for Marshall, he just needs a change of scenery. It hasn't panned out in Carolina but the talent, size, and overall skillset are there. Again, you're probably not getting much in return but it's worth trying to flip him. 

We've seen marked progress every week from Bryce Young and the offense finally found some success in the run game, so maybe, just maybe, things will really start to click out of the bye week. This is the part of the schedule we all pointed to when it first came out back in the spring. A three-game stretch against Houston, Indianapolis, and Chicago presents an opportunity to not only pick up win No. 1 but perhaps get on a roll.

This is part of why I don't believe Fitterer will make any blockbuster moves. There's a chance this team can finish off the season strong similar to how last year's group did. Not saying it will happen, but the opportunity is there and a strong finish could spill over into 2024.

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on X:

Facebook - @PanthersOnSI

X - @AllPanthers_ and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.