WR Terrace Marshall Regarding the Panthers’ Unbalanced Roster?

Several Panthers were reportedly available for trade before the 2023 trade deadline, including wide receiver Terrace Marshall, though no deal materialized for him.

Marshall entered the NFL with high expectations, having been part of LSU’s potent passing game alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson. While Chase and Jefferson have established themselves as top receivers in the league, Marshall has struggled to find his footing at the professional level, leaving his future with the Panthers uncertain.

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, Marshall is likely facing roster uncertainty this summer. Despite being given permission to seek a trade in October, there was little interest in acquiring him. His reduced role in the Panthers’ offense in 2023 compared to the previous year led to his trade request.

Although the Panthers did not add any wide receivers during the season, they have been active in that regard during the offseason. They traded cornerback Donte Jackson to the Steelers in exchange for Diontae Johnson, who has been a consistent performer with at least 86 catches and 882 yards each year from 2020 to 2022.

Additionally, the Panthers traded up to select Xavier Legette at the end of the first round in the draft. Legette, a product of South Carolina, emerged in 2023 and posted impressive stats, showcasing his skills as both a receiver and a returner. With a different skillset compared to Johnson and Adam Thielen, Legette is expected to carve out a role in his rookie season.

Thielen, who received 137 targets in his first season with the Panthers, benefited from the team’s lack of established pass-catching options. However, with the additions of Johnson and Legette, along with drafting Ja’Tavion Sanders at tight end, the Panthers aim to bolster their receiving options for quarterback Bryce Young’s second season.

Despite starting nine games in 2022 under former offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo, Marshall’s playing time decreased notably last year, and he only recorded 19 receptions without scoring. His performance in training camp will be closely monitored, as new head coach Dave Canales will determine whether Marshall fits into the team’s plans for the final year of his rookie contract.