‘His legacy is gonna live on’: Panthers players, coach react to Christian McCaffrey trade
Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold hopes Christian McCaffrey wins a Super Bowl this season with the San Francisco 49ers.
“I’m excited to see what he can do out there, to be quite honest,” Darnold said on Friday, “(He is) the best player I’ve played with, just the most discipline. Probably one of the best teammates I’ve ever had as well. ... If he does get a chance to compete in the playoffs, yeah, I’d be very happy.”
In an externally stunning but internally best-for-business deal, general manager Scott Fitterer traded the league’s highest-paid running back to the 49ers late Thursday night. Carolina received a second-, third- and fourth-round pick in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024 for one of the league’s most dynamic weapons.
Darnold said McCaffrey gave his all to the Carolinas by dedicating his life to preparing for football games. Darnold spoke with immense respect and appreciation for his former teammate. The two only played four games together as McCaffrey missed 10 games last season due to multiple stints on injured reserve. Darnold also missed five games due to a shoulder injury that landed him on IR.
Yet the two grew close over the past two years as teammates on and off the field.
“(He is) a stand-up guy, about all the right things. A leader, funny as hell. One of the funnier guys I’ve ever met in my life,” Darnold said. “This city, this team is going to miss him. But his legacy is gonna live on. ... He made his mark on the city.”
Like most others around football, Darnold was asleep when a league source confirmed the trade to The Observer. ESPN’s Adam Schefter first reported the news.
Darnold said initially he was disappointed, but he understands the businesses side of the NFL, too.
Interim coach Steve Wilks shared a similar sentiment. He said the team is not tanking by trading its best offensive player away from an offense that already ranks near or at the bottom of the league in every offensive category.
“There is no such thing as tanking when it comes to me or the men in that locker room,” Wilks said. “My focus is on trying to win each and every day. Whatever happens at the end, we’ll deal with it when it comes.”
Carolina will replace McCaffrey using a running back committee of D’Onta Foreman, Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear. All three will get opportunities on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Wilks said he’ll lean on whoever is “the hot hand.”
Foreman was in a similar situation last season when he accumulated 566 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 133 carries after Tennessee Titans star running back Derrick Henry fractured his foot and missed nine games.
“I’m here because of last year and my opportunity that was presented to me,” Foreman said. “I’m a guy who’s been in that situation before and knows what it means to capitalize on those situations.”
McCaffrey is gone. The offense won’t look the same. But Wilks, starting quarterback PJ Walker and new three-headed rushing attack are positioned to shock the league if Carolina can win some games without its former face of the franchise.
This story was originally published October 21, 2022 at 4:58 PM.
