Panthers trade Robbie Anderson to Cardinals after bench incident
The 1-5 Carolina Panthers and wide receiver Robbie Anderson seemingly went through a public breakup on Sunday and had that divorce finalized on Monday.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Panthers have traded Anderson to the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Panthers will receive a 2024 sixth-round pick and a 2025 seventh-round pick in exchange for Anderson. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero added the Panthers began shopping the 29-year-old after they fired head coach Matt Rhule on Oct. 10.
Anderson was kicked off Carolina's bench and sent to the locker room during Sunday's 24-10 loss at the Los Angeles Rams after he was involved in arguments with wide receivers coach Joe Dailey.
"No one is bigger than the team," Panthers interim coach Steve Wilks told reporters about that decision following Sunday's defeat, according to ESPN's David Newton. "I'm not going to focus and put a lot of attention on one individual."
Anderson reacted to Monday's development via Twitter:
"I was honestly confused," Anderson remarked about the situation on Sunday after he met with Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer. "I wanted to be in the game. I've never had somebody yell to get out of the game. So I was honestly confused and upset by that. I should be. I don't see nobody that is a true competitor, that knows the value they bring and has true passion for the game, that will be OK with being told not to do something or being taken out of something when they didn't do nothing wrong."
Anderson tallied 13 catches for 206 yards and a touchdown with the Panthers this season. He recorded no receptions against the Rams.
Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown is expected to miss at least a significant amount of time due to an injury that left him in a walking boot coming off Sunday's 19-9 loss at the Seattle Seahawks that dropped Arizona to 2-4.
Meanwhile, Arizona All-Pro target DeAndre Hopkins is set to return from his six-game suspension related to violating the NFL's performance-enhancing drugs policy.
The Cardinals next host the 2-4 New Orleans Saints on Thursday night.
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