Adam Thielen had a hell of a year in 2023, registering 103 receptions for 1,014 yards. However, he can not and will not be Bryce Young's No. 1 option in 2024.
The Panthers may have to get a little creative in how they acquire that go-to target this offseason if they don't see a fit in free agency. Two high level receivers were recently mentioned in an article by Dan Graziano of ESPN that Carolina could pursue via trade, along with potential interest in presumably the top receiver on the market.
"The Panthers are on the hunt for a No. 1 wide receiver, so if -- and I say if -- Tee Higgins or Michael Pittman Jr. ends up available in a trade, they'd likely be involved. I expect them to at least look into Ridley as well, should he hit the market."
Higgins and Pittman Jr. were franchise tagged by the Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts, respectively. The Panthers, or anyone else for that matter, will not give up two first round picks as compensation to sign them off the tag but a trade can be facilitated if either club feels okay with doing so.
I assume Higgins is the more likely candidate here to be made available for trade considering they've got a big contract for Joe Burrow and fellow receiver Ja'Marr Chase is going to be paid relatively soon. Pittman on the other hand, will probably stay put. The Colts have the seventh-most cap space in the NFL and GM Chris Ballard stated publicly that he expects Pittman to be in Indianapolis in 2024, in one way or another.
Calvin Ridley is an unrestricted free agent and will garner interest from several teams around the league. Assuming a handful of teams get in a bidding war for his services, he could become a little too pricey for the Panthers' liking.
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