The Carolina Panthers haven’t had much to celebrate this season, but give credit where it’s due - when it comes to trading wide receivers, they’ve quietly built a track record that’s worth noticing.
Sunday’s big win over the Los Angeles Rams might have been the headline, but a closer look at Carolina’s recent moves reveals something else: this front office, led by GM Dan Morgan, has made a string of savvy decisions when it comes to offloading receivers. Three trades, three wins - at least by early returns.
The latest example came into focus Monday, when the Minnesota Vikings officially waived Adam Thielen. The Panthers had dealt Thielen to Minnesota before the season, and in 11 games, he managed just eight catches. That’s not the kind of production you expect from a veteran receiver with his résumé, and it’s clear the Vikings didn’t see enough to keep him around.
That move now looks like a clean win for Carolina, and it’s not the only one.
Here’s the full list of recent WR trades under Morgan that are aging well:
- Adam Thielen to the Vikings - Minimal impact in Minnesota before his release.
- Veteran receiver Diontae Johnson - Moved on with no real loss in production.
- Jonathan Mingo to the Cowboys - A younger player with upside, but Carolina clearly didn’t see enough to keep developing him.
The Johnson and Thielen deals followed a similar pattern. Both were experienced receivers, both had time in Carolina’s system, and both were moved without much fanfare. The Panthers had a front-row seat to what they were working with and made the call - and so far, it’s hard to argue with the results.
The Mingo trade was a bit different. Younger, more raw talent, and the kind of player who might’ve been worth a longer look.
From the outside, it made sense why Dallas might take a chance. But again, Carolina’s evaluation seems to have been spot-on.
They didn’t see a breakout coming, and they haven’t missed him.
These aren’t blockbuster deals, and they won’t dominate highlight reels. But they’re the kind of roster decisions that quietly shape a franchise - especially one trying to rebuild on the fly. And right now, Carolina’s front office is showing a sharp eye for knowing when to move on from a wideout.
In a season where the wins have been hard to come by, this string of successful trades is a bright spot. It’s the kind of under-the-radar success that builds trust in a GM’s vision. And if the Panthers keep making moves like these, it won’t be long before the rest of the league starts paying closer attention.