Panthers GM: Team not 'tanking' despite Christian McCaffrey, Robbie Anderson trades

The 1-5 Carolina Panthers traded wide receiver Robbie Anderson and star running back Christian McCaffrey ahead of Sunday's home game against the 3-3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but general manager Scott Fitterer and interim coach Steve Wilks have both insisted Carolina isn't tanking with the 2023 NFL Draft already in mind. 

"We had to figure what's best for the organization," Fitterer explained about the McCaffrey trade while speaking with reporters Friday, per David Newton of ESPN. "Our focus is still going out and competing every weekend. We expect to win."

Wilks replaced fired head coach Matt Rhule on Oct. 10 and most likely isn't the club's long-term answer regarding the full-time job. 

"There's no such thing as tanking when it comes to myself or the men in that locker room," Wilks added about the notion those within the organization don't care about winning as it pertains to the remainder of the 2022 season. 

Carolina sent McCaffrey to the San Francisco 49ers late Thursday night in exchange for second, third, and fourth-round draft picks in 2023 and a fifth-round choice in 2024. It's widely believed the Panthers will use their extra draft assets to acquire a hoped-to-be franchise quarterback. 

Carolina's decision to land signal-caller Baker Mayfield from the Cleveland Browns this summer went poorly even before Mayfield was sidelined with an ankle issue. ESPN stats show Mayfield will enter the weekend dead last among eligible quarterbacks not out due to season-ending injuries with a 71.9 passer rating and a 15.5 total QBR on the campaign. He's 32nd with a 54.9% completion percentage and matched four touchdown passes with four interceptions in five games. 

Wilks hasn't committed to starting a healthy Mayfield this fall.