Report: Panthers ‘went after’ Davante Adams, Tee Higgins at trade deadline

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer may have been trying to get in on a few deals before this year’s trade deadline. But they simply weren’t to be had.

According to David Newton of ESPN, the Panthers expressed interest in three pretty big names a few weeks ago—including receivers Davante Adams and Tee Higgins. Newton wrote the following in his column from Thursday:

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.

Along with Carolina’s need for a No. 1 wideout to pair with struggling rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the murky futures for Adams in Las Vegas and Higgins in Cincinnati made both pass catchers intriguing options. Adams was outwardly disgruntled with the direction of the Raiders at the time and Higgins is playing out the final year of his rookie contract.

But, as it turns out, their immediate futures weren’t in for a change of scenery.

Newton noted that the Panthers tried to make a play for the defensive side of the ball as well:

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.

Well, hey, at least they got to share a field with Sweat the other night.