Despite Paul George’s 25-game suspension, the team rides a hot streak into a pivotal trade deadline week.
The Philadelphia 76ers have been dealing with some real drama lately, but they’re not letting it slow them down. Paul George got hit with a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program—something he attributed to taking improper medication while seeking mental health treatment. He took full responsibility in his statement, and the ban started at the end of January. George won’t be back until around March 25, 2026, meaning the team will miss his two-way impact on both ends for a big chunk of the second half of the season.
Whether this trade ends up being a win depends on how the picks play out and what else happens, but it’s a clear signal: Daryl Morey is prioritizing cap space and depth over holding onto every young piece. This could be the setup for a bigger swing before the deadline passes on Thursday, February 5, at 3 p.m. ET, or just a smart way to stay under the tax while addressing needs. With the East wide open—teams dealing with injuries and inconsistencies—Philly has a real shot if they add the right role players.
Credit: Justine Willard-Imagn Images
The week wraps with the road trip continuing: they face the Lakers in Los Angeles tomorrow night (February 5), then the Suns in Phoenix on Saturday. They’re currently one game out of the No. 4 seed in the East, and with Embiid healthy and Maxey carrying the load, the ceiling feels high. The next 24 hours could reshape the roster, but the momentum is there. This team is built to compete now—let’s see if Morey pulls off something to push them further.
Collin Sexton had just wrapped up a conversation about why things are trending in the right direction for the Charlotte Hornets and what it’s like to block out the external noise leading into the trade deadline when an alert came through on social media.
A major eight-player swap went down, with the Memphis Grizzlies sending Jaren Jackson Jr. to Sexton’s old team in Utah. The breaking news made Sexton do a double-take when the names of those on the move were rattled off, an indicator that trade season is officially underway.
Still, with Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA trade deadline rapidly approaching, Sexton and the Hornets insist the easiest way to keep the chatter from becoming a distraction is to stiff arm it as much as possible.
Charlotte Hornets Collin Sexton heads up the court Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 during the game against the Washington Wizards at Spectrum Center in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
“All the stuff that’s going on outside,” Sexton told The Charlotte Observer following Tuesday’s practice, “just continue to focus on what’s going on on the inside and continue to have the habits that we’ve been building since Day One, since we were in training camp, even in the summer as well.
“Just block out what the distractions are. Don’t allow the distractions to leak over into the team, into the arena. So, that’s how I try to keep all that, all the nonsense and everything that’s going on outside — leaving it on the outside.”
As someone who’s been dealt twice in his career, Sexton knows the business side of the game and how things work. His contract situation is one of the reasons his name is among those rumored to possibly be headed elsewhere.
Sexton, 27, is in the final year of a four-year, $72 million contract inked in a sign-and-trade between Cleveland and Utah in 2022. He’s earning $18.9 million this season, and his expiring pact could be used by the Hornets as a way to acquire a future asset.
If Jeff Peterson, the Hornets’ president of basketball operations, does any kind of wheeling and dealing before the deadline, the premise would be gathering more draft capital to add to the already-growing stable Peterson has collected in less than two full years in charge of personnel in Charlotte.
“I think the Hornets will just try to do some small stuff trying to accumulate some draft picks,” one high-ranking official on an Eastern Conference team told The Observer.
Perhaps that involves Tre Mann.
Viewed as a key piece of the young core and a priority re-signing this past offseason, Mann was supposed to add depth to the Hornets’ backcourt.
Things haven’t gone exactly as planned for both sides, though.
After missing all but 13 games of the 2024-25 season with disc herniation, this was supposed to be a redemption — or even resumption — year for Mann. But as he celebrated turning 23 years old on Tuesday, he’s probably pondering exactly where he fits in with the Hornets moving forward.
Mann has dropped completely out of coach Charles Lee’s main rotation, playing only sparingly in spot duty. He’s appeared in just 30 of the Hornets’ 51 games, averaging 7.5 points while shooting 37.4% overall and 32.8% from 3-point range. He hasn’t displayed that same form fans became accustomed to seeing prior to his 2024-25 season cut short.
Charlotte Hornets guards LaMelo Ball, left Tre Mann, center and Pat Connaughton, right, sit on the bench during the team’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on Monday, February 2, 2026. The Hornets defeated the Pelicans 102-95. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Injuries also didn’t help things much throughout the first three months of the season. He missed multiple games nursing right hip soreness, a right knee bone bruise and a left ankle impingement.
Factor in the rapid development of rookie Sion James and it’s hard to understand how Mann can chisel his way back into the crowded backcourt rotation barring an injury to someone ahead of him in the pecking order.
Even so, Mann hasn’t let the lack of playing time affect his preparation. He was among the final players on the court after practice, getting in drill work and pickup action with Tidjane Salaun, Pat Connaughton and coaching staff members.
While that was going on, Sexton had a lengthy sitdown session with assistant coach Lamar Skeeter. Basically, it was business as usual.
Charlotte Hornets guard Collin Sexton, left, speaks with assistant coach Lamar Skeeter, right, during action against the New Orleans Pelicans at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC on Monday, February 2, 2026. The Hornets defeated the Pelicans 102-95. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“I think our guys have handled it great,” Lee said. “Because, again, the focus has just been on how can we get better today, how can we control what we can control. And the mindset of just how can I help the guy next to me improve, how can I help this team win?”
Sexton hopes to still be doing that with the Hornets that beyond Thursday.
“Oh, yeah,” Sexton said. “I definitely love it here. Love it in Charlotte. Close to home. I just love being a part of something, being a part of culture change. I like being able to come in and be a vet to the young guys. Be able to show them hard work pays off and also be able to be there for them through the ups, through the downs, through the wins, through the losses.”
“And be able to just be a good stand-up dude at all times. We tend to forget that we’re humans first. Sometimes you just need a little bit of, ‘Oh, man, how you doing today?’ Or sometimes it’s ‘How’s your family doing?’ I feel like that’s something I bring to this team, being able to be that vet.”
Roderick Boone joined the Observer in September 2021 to cover the Charlotte Hornets and NBA. In his more than two decades of writing about the world of sports, he’s chronicled everything from high school rodeo to a major league baseball no-hitter to the Super Bowl to the Finals. The Long Island native has deep North Carolina roots and enjoys watching “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” endlessly. Support my work with a digital subscription
But something has shifted this year. It’s like a jolt of energy hit the locker room. The team’s chemistry is the best it’s been in a while—guys are genuinely enjoying playing together, supporting each other, and buying in. Leading the charge? Joel Embiid, who’s playing like an All-Star again.
All-Star bench players haven’t been revealed yet, and while it’s tough to crack the East frontcourt with how stacked it is, Embiid is right there in the conversation. Besides Nikola Jokic, he’s basically the only center averaging over 25 points per game league-wide right now. If he keeps this up, he should be a lock.
With a healthy Embiid leading the way, and Tyrese Maxey playing at an MVP-candidate level next to him, this Sixers team has no real ceiling. The roster mixes young upside with Hall of Fame-caliber vets like Paul George, and the pieces are starting to click. We’re sitting in a solid spot in the standings, and the Eastern Conference looks weaker than usual—especially with stars like Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Tyrese Haliburton dealing with major injuries that are keeping them sidelined or limited.
The trade deadline is right around the corner, and it’s a must that the Sixers act as buyers. Daryl Morey needs to add the right depth or a missing piece to maximize this win-now window before those other teams get their guys back healthy.
At first glance, the Phillies’ trade for outfielder Austin Hays from the Baltimore Orioles is not all that exciting.
Despite making the All-Star team last year, the right-handed hitting outfielder is not a superstar or at least a burgeoning one, like the White Sox’s Luis Robert Jr.
His game does not explode off the screen–in more limited action this year than in years past, Hays is hitting .248 with just three home runs in 165 plate appearances. So no, Austin Hays as a player is not inherently exciting–but what he could mean for the team in 2024 is. Hays was brought in to fill a gaping hole in the Phillies’ battered and weary lineup: a righty-hitting outfielder. His services cost the team, Cristian Pache and Seranthony Dominguez, opening another hole in the bullpen and starting a conversation around playing time.
How will Brandon Marsh and Johan Rojas be used now that Hays is on the roster?
The initial assumption was that Hays, who positively crushes left-handed pitching–batting .328 with a .894 OPS in 72 at-bats this year–would platoon in left field with Marsh, who hasn’t hit left-handed pitching whatsoever this year.
There is a simple truth to Hay’s acquisition: the Phillies are not comfortable, especially in the postseason, with Marsh and Rojas’ ability to start in the outfield every day.
Marsh, for all of his lovability and defense versatility, cannot hit lefties to save his life. Rojas, who was sent down to AAA earlier this year, cannot hit any pitcher regardless of which hand throws the ball.In October, the Phillies will invariably face a gauntlet of left-handed pitching.
The Philadelphia Phillies are the top team in baseball.
The Phillies don’t have many holes on the roster, but it doesn’t hurt to upgrade at certain positions if it makes sense to give the team a better chance heading into the playoffs.
Baseball can be a funny game. A team can be loaded with superstars, but still lose to any other team. It’s not quite like basketball and forming superteams like the 2016-19 Golden State Warriors and countless others.
the past few days, and he’s an intriguing option for the Phillies. The 29-year-old made his debut with the Minnesota Twins in 2020 and spent some time with the San Diego Padres and Kansas City Royals before finding a home in Oakland with the A’s.
He never really got consistent playing time in his career until 2023 when he was named an All-Star and finished the season with 30 home runs and 69 RBI on a 50-win A’s team. Rooker is enjoying similar success in 2024 slashing .282/.362/.544 with 18 home runs and 55 RBI.
He’s not going to impress you with his fielding, but he does have power at the plate. He primarily is used as the A’s designated hitter, but he does have some appearances in the corner outfield spots this year. Rooker is also under team control for three more years after this season.
MIA LHP Tanner Scott
The Phillies haven’t had a consistent closer so far this season. Jeff Hoffman, José Alvarado, Gregory Soto, Seranthony Domínguez and Ricardo Pinto all have saves, but nobody is the defined closer. Enter, Scott.
The left-hander has been one of the most dominant relievers in the league this year and has been recognized earning his first All-Star selection. Scott owns a 1.42 ERA with 13 saves in 15 opportunities and has only allowed two home runs so far this season.
This would be a rental option for the Phillies as Scott will be a free agent at the end of the season, but he’d take the bullpen to another level for the playoff push.
NYM OF Harrison Bader
This seems like almost a no-brainer type of deal. Bader came into the league in 2017 with the St. Louis Cardinals and has spent some time with the New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds before signing a one-year $10.5 million contract with the New York Mets prior to the 2024 season.
He’s a career .246 hitter, but he’s having a solid season this year slashing .275/.316/.406 with six home runs, 32 RBI and 13 stolen bases. The 30-year-old plays center field which has been an area of weakness for the Phillies this season from an offensive perspective.
The Mets are hovering around the .500 mark and are only 0.5 games back out of the Wild Card, so there’s a chance Bader might not be available.
CHW OF Luis Robert Jr.
The thought of landing Robert Jr. feels like more of a fantasy these days, but you never know what could happen. The 26-year-old has elite talent, but he’s struggled to stay healthy in his five-year career. However, when he is healthy, he’s one of the best players in baseball.
Robert Jr. has the power and speed to be a difference maker day in and day out. The one-time All-Star is a career .274 hitter and has 85 runs and 54 stolen bases in 407 career games.
Robert Jr. signed a six-year $50 million extension with the Chicago White Sox in 2020 and is under control through the 2027 season. The asking price for a player at his age with his skill set and multiple more years of team control is high which has been reported as the deadline approaches. The Phillies would have to part ways with one of their top prospects as well as multiple other top-30 organizational prospects to land Robert Jr. in Philadelphia.
Regardless, he would be an immediate upgrade in all aspects at the center field position.
If the opportunity presents itself, Dombrowski should be all over it.
Trading Bradley Chubb or any of the Denver Broncos’ key players at the deadline would send the … [+] message of a rebuild. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Denver Post via Getty Images
Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett has bought himself some time — for now.
Following the Broncos’ Week 8 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars — their first since Week 3 when they defeated the San Francisco 49ers — Denver is feeling somewhat better about themselves.
A lot of the same issues are still there. The robust amount of penalties. The head-scratching turnovers. The fact that Hackett still doesn’t appear to be ready to be leading the Broncos’ sideline.
But Denver showed some fight in their win over the Jaguars. In fact, Denver was trailed 17-14 late in the fourth quarter when Russell Wilson and the Broncos made some clutch plays. Heck, the offense — the league’s worst — somehow went 3-for-3 in the red zone when it comes to scoring touchdowns.
And while the Broncos may still sport a mediocre 3-5 record heading into their bye in Week 9, that means one big thing — Denver can’t be sellers at the trade deadline.
Heading into their Week 8 matchup versus the Jaguars, the Broncos were presumed to be sellers at the trade deadline — especially if they lost. In fact, if they had lost, it wouldn’t have shocked anyone if Denver fired Hackett on the plane ride back home to Colorado.
Names such as Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Bradley Chubb were popular names thrown out there in trade rumors.
You can shut those rumors down— for now.
Prior to the game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the Broncos were not planning on trading either of their receivers.
“Although they are fielding trade inquiries on Chubb, the Broncos do not plan to trade Jerry Jeudy or KJ Hamler despite getting calls on the third-year wide receivers, according to sources familiar with the team’s thinking,” said Schefter.
Schefter stressed that it would take a “strong offer” for Denver to trade away their top two young receivers.
“The Broncos, who play Sunday in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars, instead want to use Jeudy and Hamler to revive their struggling offense, the sources told ESPN,” said Schefter. “Denver could ultimately still trade one of the receivers by Tuesday, but it only would be for what the team believed to be a strong offer, according to sources.”
The one player who possibly could be moved is Chubb, Denver’s top pass-rushing specialist. As Schefter noted, one team is willing to offer the Broncos a first-round draft pick. Chubb could also command more compensation that what Denver fetched from the Los Angeles Rams — second and third-round picks — in the Von Miller trade last season.
Furthermore, Chubb is the final year of his rookie deal and is expected to command a contract worth at least $20 million annually. If he’s not moved by the deadline, the Broncos are expected to keep him on a long-term deal.
As enticing as a first-round pick may be for Chubb — especially considering Denver doesn’t hold one for the 2023 NFL draft due to the Russell Wilson trade — now isn’t the time to trade a key figure of Denver’s No. 3-ranked defense.
If you trade Chubb now — or any of Denver’s other key players — for draft capital, you’re sending the signal that the win over Jacksonville means nothing. Most importantly, you’re sending the message that you’re waving the white flag on this season.
As Mark Kizla of The Denver Post notes, trading Chubb — the cornerstone of the defense that is keeping the Broncos afloat — would send Denver into a rebuilding project.
The Broncos would also waste a valuable season after signing Wilson to a $245 million contract extension.
“Trading Chubb would not only be waving the white flag it would send a signal to Wilson that he signed a $245 million contract extension to lead a rebuilding project,” said Kizla.
Since winning Super Bowl 50, this franchise has been on a downward spiral. They’ve gone six consecutive years without clinching a postseason berth — a record for a team after winning a Super Bowl. They can ill-afford another rebuild of a season just weeks after signing Wilson to such a big contract with high expectations.
The Broncos may not make it to the postseason this year. They face a tough slate over their nine remaining games, with five of those against teams with winning records.
But you have to give this team a chance. Let this team go down swinging with its best players.
Retaining Chubb ensures that the Broncos are indeed all-in on this season and not looking ahead towards the future.
The rebuilding Pittsburgh Steelers should be sellers at the trade deadline following their 2-5 start … [+] to the season. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The Pittsburgh Steelers had some of us fooled for a period of time.
Following the Steelers’ 20-18 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6, there were some that actually believed Pittsburgh could threaten for a playoff spot. After all, at a 2-4 record, they were just one game out of the lead for the AFC North division. They had even defeated the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.
That’s not even mentioning T.J. Watt’s impending return from injury, which is likely to happen in the coming weeks.
However, following their 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins, it’s very clear that this is a rebuilding squad led by a rookie quarterback going through some extreme growing pains.
The Steelers had their chances and actually almost pulled off the comeback against the Dolphins. However, rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett threw his second interception with the team in scoring position during the final five minutes of the game to seal the game.
“We didn’t give our offense a short field by producing a turnover or two, and they did, head coach Mike Tomlin said after the game. “So we go back to work. Disappointing, but we got another big game coming up and we’ll get focused. We will assess this, learn from it, and put together a plan and ready ourselves for the next one.”
But that wasn’t the reason for the loss. That’s Tomlin’s way of easing the pressure on an offensive unit surrounded by young talent.
The offense remains as stagnant as ever, Pickett seems to have a little bit of a knack for picks early on in his career and the defense is too inconsistent to be relied upon to carry the team.
“I thought he was highly competitive, played to win,” Tomlin said of Pickett. “He made some plays. Unfortunately he and we didn’t make enough.”
That’s because Pittsburgh is a rebuilding squad. Which means one thing — the Steelers should be sellers at the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh has one more game before the deadline which will come against the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8. Barring a miraculous upset, it’s safe to assume they’ll lose that game and drop to a record of 2-6.
As Pittsburgh continues to go through growing pains during its first rebuilding season in nearly 20 years, the Steelers should move forward with offloading veterans. The most appealing of their assets heading into the deadline — Chase Claypool — is the perfect candidate to be moved.
The 24-year-old is having a slow start to the season, but a lot of that can be attributed to the offense itself and the fact that Pittsburgh is starting a rookie quarterback. While his stat line versus the Dolphins wasn’t too impressive — five catches for 41 yards — he was coming off of a seven-reception, 96-yard performance that saw him catch the game-winning touchdown.
Prior to the Steelers’ game in Miami, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Claypool is generating a lot of interest heading into the trade deadline on Nov. 1. However, Rapoport reports that Pittsburgh is not likely to deal their young receiver.
“Steelers WR Chase Claypool has been in focus, but is not expected to be dealt, barring a shift,” said Rapoport.
The entirety of the Steelers’ young core — Pickett, Diontae Johnson, George Pickens, Najee Harris and Pat Freiermuth are under contract through the 2024 season. Claypool is the only one out of that core whose deal expires after the 2023 season. That’s not even mentioning the fact that the Steelers used a fourth-round draft pick on Calvin Austin, meaning he should figure into Pittsburgh’s plans at some point, if not this season.
In other words, after signing Johnson to a two-year, $36.7 million contract extension prior to the start of the season, they’ll also have to sign Claypool to a new deal. Despite Johnson’s role as Pittsburgh’s No. 1 receiver and Pickens’ emergence — he caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in the loss to the Dolphins — the Steelers are still reluctant to trade Claypool.
As noted by Mark Madden of Tribune Live, the Steelers would expect a package similar to what the Carolina Panthers received for two-time Pro Bowl running back Christian McCaffrey in their recent trade with the San Francisco 49ers. For perspective, the 49ers gave up second, third, fourth and fifth-round picks to the Panthers for McCaffrey.
Simply put, that’s not happening for Claypool.
The Steelers’ reluctance to trade their third-year receiver is understandable. They have a rookie quarterback starting who is having difficulty acclimating to the offense as is. By trading one of his favorite targets, he’ll be forced to rely upon rookie Pickens and the second-year Freiermuth (outside of Johnson).
But even with Claypool in the lineup, this offense is as stagnant as can be. Prior to their Week 7 matchup versus the Dolphins, the Pittsburgh came in averaging 16.2 points per game, 30th in the league. Following their 10-point output versus Miami — their second-lowest of the season — they’re now averaging just 15.3 points per game on the season, which would only rank ahead of the Denver Broncos.
Claypool will eventually seek a new deal. OTC currently has his contract valuation at a shade under $10 million per year. But that’s based upon this season’s production, where Claypool’s stats have dipped as a result of the Steelers’ quarterback play. Once the 6-foot-4, 238-pound receiver hits the open market as a 26-year-old in 2024, Claypool will likely seek a deal somewhat comparable to the one Johnson recently received at $18 million per year.
Considering NFL teams’ thirst for viable receivers, Pittsburgh could fetch a third-round draft pick for Claypool at the deadline.
The Steelers may have a strong stance on dealing before the deadline. But following their loss to the Dolphins — and likely another one versus the Eagles — Pittsburgh should back off its stance and deal Claypool.
In fact, they should look at every possible avenue in stocking up draft capital prior to the trade deadline.
The San Francisco 49ers have mostly watched as the NFC West division rival Los Angeles Rams have repeatedly swung for the fences to try to win the Super Bowl. That approach worked for the Rams last season. The Niners believe it’s their turn, which is why they pulled off a stunning trade for running back Christian McCaffrey late Thursday night.
The Niners sent second-, third- and fourth-round picks in 2023 and a fifth-round pick in 2024 to the Carolina Panthers for McCaffrey in hopes he can help jump-start a sagging offense.
Through the first six weeks, the 49ers have been plagued by injuries all over the roster, and their offense hasn’t played close to the level of their dominant defense.
Coach Kyle Shanahan doesn’t want a repeat of 2019, when the Niners wasted an elite defense as the offense couldn’t close out the Super Bowl against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Put simply: San Francisco believes it is in a championship window, and trading for McCaffrey sends that message loud and clear to the rest of the league.
How will McCaffrey fit into the 49ers’ offense?
This should be relatively seamless for McCaffrey, who has plenty of experience operating in an outside zone-heavy scheme and brings the type of versatility that will allow Shanahan to mix and match him with the team’s skill-position options. And make no mistake, while McCaffrey will be the team’s No. 1 option at running back, Shanahan will use him in the pass game plenty and create more headaches for defenses, who now have to keep track of him and the likes of receivers Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk and tight end George Kittle. — Nick Wagoner
Did the 49ers give up too much?
On paper, it seems like it. But when you make an all-in move like this, there’s no price that’s too high if it pays off. The risk is obvious: McCaffrey has missed 23 games in the past two seasons, and he’s joining a team that is consistently snakebit by injury. And while the Niners have a couple of third-round compensatory picks, they’re essentially punting on the 2023 NFL draft. Adding young, cost-effective players is important for a team that has so much high-priced talent and is planning to pay defensive end Nick Bosa an enormous amount of money this offseason. But if McCaffrey, who is under contract through 2025, is healthy and on the field, he gives the 49ers one of the best groups of skill-position players in the league, and the loss of multiple Day 2 picks won’t sting much at all. — Wagoner
Does adding McCaffrey put the 49ers over the top in a tight NFC West?
It should, but that comes with the significant caveat of whether the Niners and McCaffrey can get (and stay) relatively healthy. No team has been more banged up than the Niners in the first six weeks, and while many of those players are expected to return, there are no guarantees when it comes to health. If their injury luck turns for the better, the Niners, who are already 2-0 in the division, have the best roster in the NFC West and should be able to not only win the division but make another deep postseason run. — Wagoner
After firing their coach and getting rid of McCaffrey and Anderson, is this a complete rebuild for the Panthers?
The Panthers might not call it a complete rebuild because the defense is in good shape for next season. Defensive tackle Matt Ioannidis is the only starter not under contract. But this is a complete rebuild when you consider the Panthers will have a new coaching staff, since Matt Rhule already has been fired; a new quarterback, since Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold aren’t the answer; and a new face of the franchise, since McCaffrey is gone.
On top of that, the receiver room is a mess. DJ Moore is the only legitimate threat now that Robbie Anderson has been traded to the Arizona Cardinals. And none of Carolina’s tight ends are legitimate weapons. Not to mention the offensive line ranks near the bottom of the league in pass win and run win rate. One could argue 2022 first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu has had growing pains thus far at left tackle. He might be better suited for the right side or at guard. So call this what you want, but it’s a rebuild. — David Newton
How does this set up interim coach Steve Wilks?
Wilks never got a fair shake in his one season (2018) as the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals because he didn’t have the talent to compete and coached with mostly an inherited staff. He has the same situation now with Carolina. And now he loses his most valuable offensive asset. McCaffrey was his offense, accounting for 75% of the team’s yardage in Sunday’s 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Wilks has to replace him with second-year back Chuba Hubbard and journeyman D’Onta Foreman.
The offense is already rated last in the NFL in total yards and in third-down percentage, and former XFL quarterback PJ Walker is starting his second straight game Sunday against Tampa Bay while Baker Mayfield and Sam Darnold recover from ankle injuries. Owner David Tepper said Wilks would be considered for the full-time job if he does an exceptional job the remainder of this year. Instead, it appears he has been set up for failure once again. This feels like a total tank to build for the future. — Newton
What are the contract and cap implications of the deal?
McCaffrey is a one-year rental on a cheap contract for San Francisco, with a $1.035 million salary thanks to Carolina’s offseason contract restructure. Next year it gets more complicated, as McCaffrey is owed $11.8 million. But the 49ers don’t inherit McCaffrey’s signing bonus proration, which lessens his $19.5 million cap hit in 2023 by several million. This is all manageable but still steep for a running back. — Jeremy Fowler
What other teams were involved in talks?
Several contenders at least made the call, but as of midweek talks were slow to develop. Despite hype about their interest, I never got the sense the Buffalo Bills were all-in. Teams I’ve talked to believe the Rams and Denver Broncos were involved to some extent but were unwilling to reach the price point the 49ers ended up paying.
The Panthers also have received multiple trade calls on their other top playmaker, wide receiver DJ Moore, per sources, but the team considers Moore a foundational piece for the roster in the long term. — Fowler
