I've mentioned this a few times before in this blog, but to repeat... yes, absolutely, no doubt the Panthers will look to trade three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kris Jenkins if they get the right offer. Jenkins was on the trading block last year and, quite frankly, the Panthers never really took him off of it.
But the big question is will they get the right offer?
Jenkins should be fairly marketable since there are very few quality defensive tackles in the free agent market. Some, like Shaun Rogers of Detroit, are available via trade. Jenkins played well enough last season to convince teams that he has fully recovered from a torn ACL in his knee.
Here's the thing to remember in regards to this trade. Jenkins is due a $1 million roster bonus in early March (the exact date is unclear), so if the Panthers are going to deal him, they would like to do it soon and not have to take an additional $1 million cap hit. Like free agency, the NFL trading deadline opens Friday at 12:01 a.m.
The New York Jets, Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos could be among the teams interested in trading for Jenkins.
UPDATE: The Panthers could look at former Atlanta Falcons defensive tackle Rod Coleman as a possible replacement. It's been reported that he will visit with the Panthers over the weekend.
The Panthers unsuccessfull attempted to trade Jenkins last year but were fishing for a first- or second-round draft pick as compensation. They didn't get it. The price tag may drop this year since Jenkins wouldn't be as a big of a hit against the cap. In fact, they would actually free up more $2,955,000 under the 2008 salary cap if they trade or release him.
So, any takers?
Jenkins has made it clear he'd like play closer to his off-season home in the surburban Washington, D.C., area, so you have to figure the Panthers would start first with Baltimore, Washington or Philadelphia as possible suitors. But, just like last year, there is no guarantee Jenkins will be dealt. It's hard to imagine the team simply releasing him.
If I had to guess, I'd say there's a 60 percent he'll be traded.
UPDATE: The Panthers have tendered offers to exclusive rights free agents linebacker Brandon Jamison and safety Nate Salley, effectively keeping them with the team. The team also confirmed waht we reported a couple of days ago, that restricted free agents Geoff Hangartner, linebacker Adam Seward and tackle Evan Mathis were also tendered contract offers. Hangartner received the second-round tender of $1.47 million, while Seward and Mathis earned the low tender of $927,000.