Mr. Scot

I could see it

The Athletic's Jeff Howe examines how the Stephen Gilmore trade went down along with Panthers beat writer Joe Person. How the Panthers got the guy they wanted from the Patriots (subscription required) Some details from the story... The Panthers had been looking into acquiring Gilmore for pretty much the entire offseason, but they weren't willing to give up what the Patriots were asking. Then this week, the Patriots decided to cut bait and the Panthers pounced. Word of Gilmore's impending release was leaked by the Patriots to try and drum up a market. Apparently it did just that as several teams were reported to have inquired and two AFC teams made specific offers. Fitterer knew of the offers and also understood that if the release happened, there'd be a bidding war for him. That wasn't something he wanted to deal with so he jumped in with a trade offer to try and head it off at the pass. Pat Stewart's Patriot connections helped grease the skids on the offer. Stewart spent ten seasons with the Patriots and is still known to many in their front office. He kept in contract with Patriots lead personnel guy Dave Ziegler throughout the process and helped secure the ultimate deal. The final negotiations went fast, so fast in fact that head coach Matt Rhule wasn't aware the deal was completed as he was heading to practice. Fitterer caught him on the way out, told him he had his new player on the phone and asked if he'd like to speak to him As to the future, per Howe and Person the Panthers do indeed want to sign Gilmore to a contract extension. They are, however, not in a rush to do so. The team wants to wait and see how well he does this season first. Likewise, Gilmore isn't going to demand immediate negotiations. He also wants to see how things work out, and specifically how well he fits in the Panthers defense. Once both sides have seen what they want to see, then they can talk. Basically, stay tuned...

Yeah, can't see this one happening. You could probably spend all day on the phone offering this and that to the Packers but in the end they'd still say no.

Now you're trying to argue that getting a backup / future franchise quarterback is a step toward being competitive right now? Wow You're not a Darnold fan. We get it. We all get it. Trying to couch it in other ideas looks pretty silly.

The Athletic had a discussion with a bunch of agents talking about who they could trust, who they could deal with, who does/doesn't lie to them, etc. Fitterer came off pretty good. I've also read that he's very well networked around the league.

Well, I guess that's better than what happened to Delhomme

That pic is hilarious

Have said previously I thought we signed stopgaps for this year's line with an eye toward building via the draft. Still haven't seen anything that leads me to question that.

More from Ellis...

It's not as easy to keep up with the roster as it used to be

Cut never happened.

I'll ask but I think so.

They lost out on Gilmore but it looks like they'll land Smith.

Oy...

My agent says I'm worth at least a Texas Roadhouse dinner.

Ask @Zod. I think he handles the cap.

Heck, at this point I'm wondering if Fitterer can trade us. I mean, I don't really want to go anywhere but at this rate I'm afraid I might wake up tomorrow and find out I've been traded to the Cowboys fanbase in exchange for a Chick-fil-A catering tray

I feel like if somebody handed Fitterer's kid candy corn he'd negotiate it up to a King Size Kit Kat.

Same, and I'd be willing to bet that was a lot of people's reaction

Rhule has mentioned the possibility of starting Christensen or Scott on the left, but also didn't rule out moving Taylor Moton.