Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey. Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers have gotten trade calls about star RB Christian McCaffrey

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/7/22

Carolina Panthers one-time All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey missed a total of 23 regular-season games due to injury setbacks over the past two campaigns and was mentioned as a possible trade candidate before Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said in January he was not "shopping" the 25-year-old who is on a four-year, $64 million deal through 2025.

However, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports raised eyes when he reported Monday that Carolina "has fielded more than one call" regarding McCaffrey's potential availability. Jones added the Panthers want "a first-round pick plus another piece of compensation" to even consider moving on from the proven weapon in the rushing and passing attacks who simply hasn't been able to stay in the lineup with any consistency since the fall of 2020.

It's unclear if any would-be buyer will match Carolina's reported asking price at this time.

Per Josh Alper of Pro Football Talk, McCaffrey's contract carries a salary-cap hit of over $14.3 million for the 2022 season.

The #Panthers would have to account for $18.538 million in dead money if they were to trade away Christian McCaffrey. They would lose $4.3 million in cap room.
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) March 7, 2022

In a piece published Sunday, ESPN's Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler mentioned McCaffrey among "buzzworthy candidates for potential trades or cap casualties," so it appears there is fire generating some figurative smoke regarding the ball-carrier's future ahead of the start of the new league year on March 16.

McCaffrey rushed for 442 yards and one touchdown on 99 carries and added 37 catches for 343 yards and a score in his seven contests during the 2021 season.

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