Report: Panthers offered huge package for Matthew Stafford

It appears the Panthers tried their best to acquire Matthew Stafford before the Rams made the Lions an offer they couldn't refuse. Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers offered No. 8 pick, Teddy Bridgewater for Matthew Stafford

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 2/7/21

It appears the Carolina Panthers were all-in on attempting to acquire former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Panthers offered the Lions the eighth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, a fifth-round pick and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in a package for Stafford.

During trade talks to try to acquire Matthew Stafford, the Carolina Panthers made a serious offer to the Lions of their eighth overall pick, a fifth-round pick and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, per league sources. Detroit opted to take the Rams offer. Carolina still looking.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) February 7, 2021

The Lions accepted the Los Angeles Rams' offer of Jared Goff, two first-round picks and a third-rounder.

The Panthers have Bridgewater under contract for at least one more season, and he'll likely remain the franchise's starter unless Carolina drafts a quarterback it feels is better.

Landing Stafford would have been a franchise-altering move for the Panthers, but now they're stuck wondering what could have been.

Although they lost out on Stafford, the Panthers are reportedly expected to take a similar approach in trying to acquire Deshaun Watson from the Houston Texans. However, Stafford's high price tag probably drove up the asking price for Watson.

According to John McClain of the Houston Chronicle, the Texans want two first-rounders, two second-rounders and two young defensive starters in any deal for Watson. It's unclear if the Panthers would be willing to give up all of those assets.

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