The trade talk around Ja'Tavion Sanders hasn’t changed the way he’s approaching the job.
As the Carolina Panthers get ready for the 2026 NFL season, Sanders has found himself in the middle of rumors after Darren Waller was added late this offseason. But when reporters asked Sanders about the speculation ahead of Week 1, he made it clear he wasn’t letting it get in his head.
"I really didn't pay too much mind to it. I saw it on social media," Sanders said via Mike Kaye of ESPN.
"But you can't let the media affect you. Your mindset still has to come into work every day, prepare the same way.
So it really didn't affect me at all."
The Panthers are trying to show they’re more than the 8-9 team that won the NFC North in 2025 by tiebreaker, and the offense is expected to take a step if that’s going to happen. Tight end is one area that could use a boost, which is part of why Sanders remains a name worth watching.
Still, there’s a reason his name has surfaced in trade chatter. Sanders is entering his third season and has 532 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his career so far, numbers that haven’t exactly locked down a major role.
At the same time, Carolina may not be eager to move on from him. The Panthers have Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Feleipe Franks and Darren Waller on the depth chart along with Sanders, but there isn’t exactly a proven answer in the group.
So the question now is simple: can Sanders carve out a real spot in the offense, or does he end up on the outside looking in as the season unfolds?
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Jones issue is being described as an aggravation on the opposite side of his back from the injury he dealt with in 2025, which only adds to the uncertainty around how quickly he can get back. In the meantime, Carolina will lean more heavily on Princely Umanmielen, Trevis Gipson and Thomas Incoom, all of whom are in line for larger snaps as the Panthers try to piece together pressure off the edge without one of their expected starters. [Read more 🡒]
Luke Kuechly Just Gave Panthers Fans A New Reason To Watch
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Panthers Rookie Tackle Is About To Face A Brutal Early Test
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Freelings first big chance comes with a difficult assignment waiting on the other side. Montez Sweat is the kind of edge rusher who can make a rookie tackle earn every snap, especially when the protection around him is still getting sorted out. The Panthers do not need perfection from Freeling right away, but they do need him to hold up in a test that will say a lot about how ready he is for the NFL pace. [Read more 🡒]