CHARLOTTE — Trading Christian McCaffrey might not help the Panthers today, but this move wasn't about today.
This move was about a time when it could matter even more.
Sending their star running back to San Francisco late Thursday night (the deal is still pending a physical today) in exchange for a reported four draft picks was about building for the future, since it gives them more options heading into an offseason when they need more.
Of course, the goal continues to be finding a long-term answer at quarterback, but these picks from the 49ers aren't the ones that are necessarily going to translate directly into that player.
But having more picks gives them more chances to take players, trade, move around, or add more help. Moving McCaffrey and adding a reported three additional picks in next spring's draft and another in 2024 gives them possibilities they didn't necessarily have earlier this week.
The Panthers had just four picks in 2023 and five in 2024 when they got on the plane home from Los Angeles Sunday night. They picked up a 2024 sixth-rounder and a 2025 seventh in Monday's deal that sent wide receiver Robbie Anderson to Arizona. The reported haul from the 49ers includes a 2023 second, third, and fourth, along with a 2024 fifth-rounder (and if you go by the numbers on any draft value chart, that's the equivalent of a late first).
Now, the Panthers have seven picks in 2023 (all in the first five rounds), seven in 2024, and eight in 2025.
And the more inventory you have, the more alternatives exist for you.
So now they have more chances to acquire more pieces to add to their young core on defense and some other existing assets.
At the moment, it creates some questions about how an already struggling offense will move forward, since McCaffrey was fourth in the league in yards from scrimmage, and the Panthers were 32nd in the league in total offense.
With short-term uncertainty at quarterback, they will be starting PJ Walker again this week, as Baker Mayfield nurses an ankle injury and Sam Darnold practiced for the first time in seven weeks after dealing with his own ankle injury. But the longer-term questions at the position are more pressing, because none of those three are under contract for 2023.
Rookie Matt Corral, who is out for the year with a foot injury, is the only quarterback on the roster who is under contract for next year.
That's certainly going to change, and Thursday's deal with the 49ers only makes it more possible for them to be able to make the moves they need to make.
Quarterback is obviously one of them.
So while they were likely already thinking about players at the top of this year's draft class, it's too soon to know whether Bryce Young or CJ Stroud or Will Levis or Hendon Hooker or whoever will be anyone's answer. Those guys are still playing, and the real evaluating is only beginning.
And because they've looked into options every year that people didn't realize were options at the time, it's too soon to lock in on any one means of acquiring a quarterback.
But now we know they have more picks.
And with those added picks, they can continue to add to a young base of talent that includes several high-end defensive stars like Brian Burns, Derrick Brown, and Jaycee Horn, one of the game's steadiest receivers in DJ Moore, and a ready-made offensive line which has all five current starters under contract for next year.
So, no, dealing McCaffrey didn't make the Panthers any better at the moment.
But it gives the Panthers more options for the future, and until you find a long-term solution at quarterback, options are the best thing to have.
Christian McCaffrey tallied 7,272 scrimmage yards and 50 scrimmage touchdowns in six seasons with the Panthers.
Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018./
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey tries to jump over Joe Schobert during a game against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football and breaks tackles against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey breaks free for a run against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey flips in the air after being tackled against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey breaks a tackle during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey makes a reception against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey stiff-arms Justin Evans during a game against the Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, December 2, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey stiff-arms a defender against Cleveland at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on Sunday, December 9, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Saints on Monday Night Football on Monday, December 17, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Carolina Panthers against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, December 23, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the Atlanta Falcons on December 31, 2017 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Christian McCaffrey, Jonathan Stewart and Greg Olsen celebrate a touchdown during the Panthers game against the 49ers on Sunday, Sep. 10, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey and Greg Olsen run out of the tunnel during a game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, November 26, 2017.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) and Cam Newton (1) celebrate after a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panthers against the Seattle Seahawks at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, November 25, 2018.
Cam Newton and Christian McCaffrey celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Giants on Sun., Oct. 7, 2018.
Carolina Panthers against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Bank of America Stadium on Sunday, Nov 4, 2018.
Christian McCaffrey and Cam Newton celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey during a game during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Christian McCaffrey during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday, November 14, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey runs for a touchdown during a game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday Night Football at Bank of America Stadium on Monday, November 13, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football for a touchdown during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Christian McCaffrey carries the football The Panthers against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey Carolina Panthers against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football The Panthers against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, October 1, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Christian McCaffrey celebrates a touchdown during the Panthers game against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2017.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football Carolina Panthers against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) carries the ball against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey breaks a tackle against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) makes a reception in the red zone against the New Orleans Saints at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, September 24, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football The Carolina Panthers play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, October 22nd at Soldier Field.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during a game against the New Orleans Saints in the wild card round of the NFL playoffs at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, January 7, 2018 in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Melissa Melvin-Rodriguez)
Christian McCaffrey against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 16, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the Minnesota Vikings at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, December 10, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey carries the football against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on Sunday, December 3, 2017 in New Orleans, LA.
Carolina Panthers Christian McCaffrey (22) and Ed Dickson (84) celebrate a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles at Bank of American Stadium on Thursday, October 12, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Carolina Panther Christian McCaffrey (22) scores a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of American Stadium on Sunday, November 5, 2017 in Charlotte, NC.
Christian McCaffrey scores a touchdown during the Panthers game against the Lions on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2017.
