Carolina Panthers
· 2026-07-08
Carolina Panthers are reportedly scouting former Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as a potential trade target, according to NFL trade analyst Anthony Palacios. The Panthers, sitting 15th in the NFC with a 4‑13 record and on a two‑game winning streak, could use a cheap developmental QB if Bryce Young’s 2026 season stalls.
Palacios notes that the Panthers exercised Bryce Young’s fifth‑year option but have not yet locked him into a long‑term deal. With Kenny Pickett on a one‑year contract as a veteran backup, the team now has two experienced options. If injuries or inconsistent play arise, Sanders—still on a rookie deal worth about $1.12 million against the cap—offers a high‑upside, low‑risk alternative. He would not be expected to start immediately but could develop behind Young and Pickett, giving Carolina a future quarterback without a major salary‑cap hit.
Palacios also linked the Indianapolis Colts to Sanders, suggesting a possible quarterback swap involving Anthony Richardson. The Colts entered 2026 with Daniel Jones returning from injury and Richardson’s future uncertain after a rocky rookie campaign. Adding Sanders could give Indianapolis a fresh arm while freeing up cap space. Both clubs share unsettled quarterback rooms, making a swap plausible if the Browns decide to move on.
Palacios stresses that moving Sanders before the season would be unusual because his rookie campaign showed promise and his contract is cheap. He argues a trade would only make sense if the Browns believe Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel present a better long‑term path. For the Panthers, the decision hinges on how Bryce Young performs in training camp and early games. The team’s next matchup is against the Chicago Bears on 2026‑09‑13, a game that could influence the front office’s urgency.
Sanders is entering the second year of a four‑year, $4.65 million rookie contract after being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Spotrac lists his 2026 base salary at $1.005 million with a total cap hit of $1.12 million and $447,380 guaranteed. He remains under team control through 2028, becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2029. That structure lets the Panthers add a young quarterback without a significant cap burden, a rare commodity in today’s market.
If the Panthers decide to pursue Sanders, they would likely wait until after training camp to gauge Bryce Young’s health and performance. A mid‑season trade could provide depth if injuries strike, or the team could simply keep Sanders on the roster as a developmental project. Either way, the Panthers are keeping a low‑cost quarterback option on their radar while they try to climb out of a disappointing season.