The Carolina Panthers officially began their fire sale with the Diontae Johnson trade, and Adam Thielen could be the next player out the door. While general manager Dan Morgan insists franchise players like running back Chuba Hubbard and cornerback Jaycee Horn are not for sale, it’s safe to assume the team would move Thielen for the right price. Now playing in his age-34 season, the two-time Pro Bowler carries no guaranteed money in 2025 and probably won’t be back with the Panthers in 2025. Seeing as this is already a lost season, the Panthers could deal him to a familiar team.
While Carolina’s offense isn’t impressive on the whole, young wide receivers Xavier Legette and undrafted free agent Jalen Coker infused the fanbase with some hope. With Thielen set to return from his hamstring injury, the rebuilding Panthers are better off seeing what they have in these two rookies. The rest of the season is all about evalution for Carolina, but contending teams like the Baltimore Ravens and Los Angeles Chargers could benefit from an Adam Thielen trade. While he’s not the player he once was, he can still be a valuable third or fourth option for the right team.
Ravens, Chargers Could Fight Over Adam Thielen Trade
2023 first-round pick Zay Flowers and the newly-acquired Diontae Johnson form a reliable starting wide receiver room, but there’s always room for improvement. Lamar Jackson is playing like an MVP and Derrick Henry is nearly unstoppable, but Baltimore knows that playing well in October doesn’t always translate to January. This team could use as much offensive firepower as it can get, and while Johnson is the headline move, an Adam Thielen trade would add some much-needed depth to an unremarkable group of receivers.
Rashod Bateman has big moments, but the former first-round pick cannot consistently get on the same page with Jackson. Veteran Nelson Agholor is nothing special, and fourth-round pick DeVontez Walker cannot find the field. The Ravens are talented enough to win with their current group of playmakers, but there is no such thing as too many reliable receivers. Seeing as they got Diontae Johnson for a fifth- and sixth-round pick swap, the Panthers might trade Adam Thielen for a conditional sixth- or seventh-round pick.
The Needy Chargers
While the Ravens would trade for Adam Thielen as a depth piece, the Chargers could use him as a starter. After a rocky start to the season, superstar quarterback Justin Herbert is back to full health and playing like one of the game’s elite passers. Second-round pick Ladd McConkey looks like a decade-long fixture in this passing attack, but this team needs more support to match up with the elite teams in the AFC.
The jury is still out on whether or not 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston can be a consistent part of a high-level passing attack. What’s not up for debate, however, is the lackluster talent outside of the two youngsters. Jalen Reagor is seeing targets, which is something you never want to happen. Adam Thielen might not have another 1,000-yard season left in his tank, but the trade candidate could easily be the second or third-best option in the passing game. Led by a strong defense and a reliable run game, the Chargers won’t need Thielen to be a superstar – they’ll just need him to catch a few passes every game.
Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports
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