Cat Crave

● By Dean Jones
It was a dramatic period leading up to the 2022 trade deadline for the Carolina Panthers. Matt Rhule was fired, Robbie Anderson and Christian McCaffrey were traded, with many other established stars also the subject of interest from across the league to further raise concerns. The Panthers opted to keep their young core intact. This decreases their needs in free agency and the draft next year, which also makes Carolina a more attractive destination for any incoming head coach if Steve Wilks doesn’t do enough to win the job long-term. Moving McCaffrey, who became the face of the franchise after Cam Newton’s departure, was a difficult decision. But in truth, the deal secured represented a win-win for all parties.