Looking ahead to the future, the Carolina Panthers might consider trading their starting center, to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Carolina Panthers are reportedly open to trading starting center, as they seem to be heading for a rebuild under new leadership. With Bryce Young, the 2023 first-overall pick, now benched, the team is expected to focus on getting younger in the near future. This likely means veterans on expiring contracts, such as Corbett, may be traded for draft picks to build the next generation of Panthers stars.
He, who started his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns, has spent the past three seasons in Carolina. He started 17 games at guard in 2022, but injuries limited him to four starts in 2023. After offseason acquisitions of Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis, Corbett transitioned to center and has excelled, earning the eighth-highest PFF grade among centers. The Chargers could benefit from adding a player like him to their roster.
Panthers Could Trade Austin Corbett to Chargers
Why the Chargers Could Do This
Heading into Week 3 with a perfect 2-0 record, the Los Angeles Chargers are thriving with a classic style of football—just the way Jim Harbaugh likes it. Their defense has been outstanding, and their running game has provided all the scoring they’ve needed. Rookie first-round pick Joe Alt has made an immediate impact, teaming up with Rashawn Slater to create what could potentially be the NFL’s top tackle pairing. However, if the Chargers want to keep dominating the line of scrimmage, they might need to consider trading for Austin Corbett.
Although their tackle positions are solid, the Chargers could still use reinforcements on the interior. With the departure of Corey Linsley, they’ve turned to former Panther Bradley Bozeman as a temporary solution at center. So far, this hasn’t worked out well, as Bozeman is currently ranked 30th out of 33 eligible centers by Pro Football Focus. While PFF grades aren’t everything, it’s clear that Los Angeles could benefit from an upgrade. If the Panthers are open to a deal, Austin Corbett could be a valuable addition for a team aiming for a deep playoff push in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as head coach.
Why the Panthers Could Do It
The Carolina Panthers have unofficially thrown in the towel for the 2024 season, but that doesn’t mean they’ll trade Austin Corbett without getting something in return. They still need a starter for next year, and Corbett could be a key piece in protecting whoever ends up as Carolina’s next quarterback. Plus, the current season is still ongoing, and head coach Dave Canales risks losing the locker room if he trades away all the veterans.
That being said, trading Corbett remains a possibility. While the Panthers won’t move every veteran, Corbett is in the final year of his contract, and at 30 next season, he may prefer joining a contender as he nears the end of his career. Given that the Panthers likely won’t be competitive next year, they could lose him in free agency unless they overpay. With that in mind, it makes sense to consider trading him now for a draft pick, as he may not be with the team much longer.
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