Dan Morgan stood firm. Not tempted to part with NFL draft assets, the Carolina Panthers general manager did not engineer a trade deadline deal Tuesday.
Coach Dave Canales forecast the outcome during Monday’s video conference.
“All those picks in the draft are really important for us as we continue to build this team,” Canales said.
Coming off last Sunday’s 16-13 upset win over the Green Bay Packers, highlighted by a walk-off field goal by rookie Ryan Fitzgerald at a windy Lambeau Field, the Panthers improved to 5-4. The rebuilding franchise, which has not qualified for the playoffs since 2017, is over .500 in November for the first time in six seasons.
#Panthers DC Ejiro Evero, who did not receive any reinforcements during Tuesday’s #NFL trade deadline, is ready to roll with his current core … pic.twitter.com/afY2UWCmvg
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 5, 2025
Carolina Panthers Quiet During NFL Trade Deadline
In second place in the NFC South, the Panthers could have used reinforcements for the injury-plagued offensive line and along the edges of the defensive line.
Scheduled to face five potential postseason clubs over their final eight games, the Panthers will have to earn their way into the playoffs with their current core.
Canales said Monday he was more focused on scouting the New Orleans Saints, Sunday’s opponent at Bank of America Stadium, than worrying about the trade deadline.
“That’s got to be the focus and mentality for me as a coach,” Canales said. “And then of course Dan has to take in all the things in terms of the future of the team, weighing that with the challenges we have in front of us.”
In the second season of his stewardship, Morgan orchestrated five trades as a rookie GM. This year, his only deal featured moving Adam Thielen to the Minnesota Vikings at the end of training camp, acquiring the equivalent of a fourth-round draft pick.
Morgan’s off-season decision to bring back the club’s top nine offensive linemen helped the Panthers overcome the rash of injuries along the interior, especially at right guard. Boosted by the emergence of running back Rico Dowdle, who ranks third in the league in rushing with 735 yards, the offensive front will continue to count on unsung players like recent signee Jake Curhan.
The Panthers rank No. 27 with 14 sacks and will miss Pat Jones II for the rest of the season. The Panthers will need rookie Nic Scourton to make a second-half jump, especially with rookie Princely Umanmielen sidelined.
Morgan could have been justified in swinging a deal in the wake of the win over the then-NFC-leading Packers, but he was not tempted.
Not when it came to the Panthers’ precious draft picks.
Will #Panthers rookie OLB Princely Umanmielen return from an ankle injury to add #NFL depth to the pass rush Sunday versus visiting #Saints? … pic.twitter.com/b96Vu0nsfC
— Jeff Hawkins (@WriterHawkins) November 5, 2025
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