From ESPN’s story on the Panthers today:
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (No. 1 pick in 2020) improved greatly his second season after they added Ja’Marr Chase (No. 5 pick in 2021) to play alongside Tee Higgins. The same for Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles after they acquired A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, (No. 10 pick in 2021), and for Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills after they acquired Stefon Diggs.
The Panthers understand that. They went after the Bengals’ Higgins and elite receiver Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders before the trade deadline, according to an NFL front office source with knowledge of discussions, but neither team was willing to deal.
They also made a run at Washington Commanders edge rusher Montez Sweat, to pair up with Burns, but he was traded to the Bears in exchange for a 2024 second-round pick.
I mean, Sweat was worth a second, for the deal they signed him to.
I’m assuming they thought they could make the money work.
Trading for the receivers would be not a good move, though, I think.