The trade deadline is closing in, and around the league the deals are already coming fast. The Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers have each landed major help over the last 24 hours, with Seattle adding guard Quenton Nelson and San Francisco bringing in defensive lineman DeForest Bucker from the Indianapolis Colts.
For Carolina, any move worth making ought to solve a real problem. That means help on the offensive line, defensive line or at cornerback.
One name that fits that discussion is Las Vegas Raiders interior lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson, whom ESPN’s Mike Kaye sees as a possible fit for the Panthers’ trenches. ESPN senior NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler said the Raiders may be willing to move him for a Day 3 pick, a price the Panthers would at least have to think about.
The tricky part is figuring out where he would actually play in Carolina.
Powers-Johnson has logged all 610 of his offensive snaps over the past two seasons at right guard, which is where Robert Hunt is lined up. Hunt is struggling there in 2026, but it is still hard to call Powers-Johnson a clear upgrade at that spot.
Center might be a more natural path. As a rookie in 2024, Powers-Johnson played 421 snaps there, and the Panthers have questions at the position. Starter Luke Fortner has not been reliable, while 2026 fifth-round pick Sam Hecht was a healthy scratch for the first time this past Sunday.
Even if Carolina does not view Powers-Johnson as a full-time starter, he could still appeal as a flexible depth option with some upside.
In Other News...
Panthers Suddenly Have A Trade Opportunity They Can't Ignore
The Colts decision to send guard Quenton Nelson to Seattle for future draft picks immediately changed the temperature around Indianapolis, because it hinted at something bigger than a one-off deal. According to league insider Tom Pelissero, the Colts may be open to moving other players as well, which is the kind of signal front offices around the league notice right away.
For Carolina, that matters because a team still looking to strengthen its roster cannot afford to ignore a chance to shop where the market suddenly gets a little softer. If Indianapolis is genuinely willing to listen, the Panthers could have a path to players who might fit immediate needs and cost less than they would have just a week ago. The challenge now is figuring out how far the Colts are prepared to go. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Now Wait On A Packers Weapon Who Could Change Thursday Night
The Panthers are spending the build-up to Thursday night keeping an eye on a Packers receiver whose status could tilt the matchup in a hurry. Matthew Golden opened the week as a non-participant in practice before working up to limited status, and Green Bay still listed him as questionable because of shoulder and foot issues. For Carolina, that matters because Golden is one of the more explosive pieces on the Packers' offense, and his availability can shape how aggressively the Panthers have to defend the perimeter.
Green Bay's injury report also includes defensive tackles Devonte Wyatt and Anthony Campbell, along with edge rusher Brenton Cox Jr., but Golden is the name that changes the conversation most for Carolina. If he is active, the Panthers will have to plan for a different version of the Packers' passing game than the one they might have expected earlier in the week, and on a short week there is not much time to adjust once the final word comes in. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Linked To Veteran QB Insurance With Deadline Cost Looming
With the trade deadline approaching, the Panthers have been mentioned as a possible landing spot for a veteran quarterback, and Kirk Cousins is now part of that conversation. ESPN analysts Jeremy Fowler and Matt Bowen pegged Carolina as a potential destination, a fit that makes some sense for a team that has spent this season trying to stabilize things around Bryce Young while also keeping an eye on the bigger picture. A proven backup would give the Panthers more protection if the position becomes unsettled again, especially with the season still offering room for movement.
Carolinas interest, though, is hardly limited to the quarterback room. The Panthers have also been linked to cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Donte Jackson as they look for ways to strengthen a defense that could use more help. So while the quarterback chatter will draw the most attention, the front office seems to be weighing multiple paths as it looks for the right deadline addition without overpaying for the privilege. [Read more 🡒]