After an incredible run during the 2025 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers and general manager Dan Morgan will now shift their focus towards next season.

While the Panthers’ offense showed improvement under head coach Dave Canales this past year, there is one name that continues to headline trade rumors this offseason.

NFL analyst Bill Barnwell recently wrote about the wide receiver market this offseason, listing the Panthers' 2024 first-round pick, Xavier Legette, as a potential trade candidate.

“The Panthers still have a spot for Legette in the lineup when they play three-wide sets, but he has fallen behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker in terms of priorities and production for Carolina,” Barnwell wrote. “And there's no reason why GM Dan Morgan would keep that spot open if the Panthers can find an upgrade this offseason. Legette is owed $4.4 million over the next two years, all of which is guaranteed, and he has a potential fifth-year option in 2028 that would come up for a decision after the 2026 season.”

Looking back at the 2024 NFL Draft, Morgan would be without his first-round pick due to the organization’s massive trade-up for quarterback Bryce Young in 2023. However, this did not stop him from adding a wide receiver to the lineup for his young quarterback, as Morgan traded up one spot to the No. 32 pick in order to select Legette.

At 6-foot-1, 221 lbs., the hope was that the highly-touted South Carolina wideout could develop into Deebo Samuel under Canales.

However, this would not be the case.

In his first season with the Panthers, Legette was unable to establish himself within the offense, finishing his rookie season with 497 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 49 catches. This caused concern with the front office, as UDFA wide receiver Jalen Coker ended the year with 32 catches for 478 receiving yards.

Legette’s lackluster rookie season ultimately prompted Morgan to use the team’s 2025 first-round pick on another wide receiver in Tetairoa McMillan. Luckily, this selection proved to be a home run for the organization, as McMillan was recently named a finalist for the 2025 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after an incredible 2025 season.

As for Legette in his second season, his struggles would continue despite becoming a second option for Young in the passing game. Legette would go on to record 35 catches for 363 receiving yards and three touchdowns during the regular season.

Now, the Panthers will enter the 2026 offseason with a chance to move on from Legette. Both McMillan and Coker have established themselves on offense, but depending on whether or not Carolina adds another weapon on the perimeter, Legette could fall out of the rotation in 2026.