The Carolina Panthers have been connected to a pretty grim trade idea.

The Carolina Panthers have gotten off to a 1-3 star thus far this season, and it is becoming increasingly obvious that they probably won't be the playoff contenders that some anticipated heading into the campaign.

The Panthers attempted to make numerous upgrades during the offseason, but it has not really worked out thus far. Perhaps their most puzzling move in that regard was signing running back Rico Dowdle, who was tabbed as a great complement to Chuba Hubbard when they added him.

Dowdle had a terrific year with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, racking up 1,079 yards and a couple of touchdowns on 4.6 yards per carry while also hauling in 39 receptions for 249 yards and three scores. He has not been nearly as productive in Carolina.

Through his first four games with the Panthers, Dowdle has carried the ball 28 times for 83 yards and a touchdown while logging five catches for 20 yards. Not exactly what Carolina signed up for.

Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox has listed Dowdle on his trade block big board entering Week 5, and he has placed a brutal seventh-round value on the 27-year-old.

"Dowdle is, at worst, a high-end backup and does have depth value for Carolina," Knox wrote. "However, the 1-3 Panthers appear to be in the middle of another lost season and might as well get a longer look at rookie Trevor Etienne."

Carolina selected Etienne in the NFL Draft back in April, one month after signing Dowdle and making its decision to acquire the former Cowboys weapon that much more confounding.

On the bright side, it's not like the Panthers paid a whole lot for Dowdle, signing him to a one-year contract worth up to $6.25 million. But moving him for a seventh-round pick after hoping he would be a key part of the offense is definitely depressing.

Carolina ranks 24th in the NFL in offense this season and is 26th in rushing. Outside of rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, there has not been a whole lot to like about the Panthers' offense in general thus far in 2025.

We'll see if Carolina can pick up a win against a very beatable Miami Dolphins squad this Sunday.