The Carolina Panthers admitted in the offseason that while they’re not shopping star running back Christian McCaffrey, they weren't hanging up the phone if someone called, either.

In fact, trade demands had already been rumored: A first-round pick and a cheap-but-solid player in return. Many teams would take that chance for McCaffrey, who when healthy is a top-five NFL back.

Fast-forward to Week 6 of the 2022 NFL betting season. Head coach Matt Rhule has been fired, starting QB Baker Mayfield has been a disaster and is now injured, putting the team in the hands of third-stringer PJ Walker. Carolina's offense has gained fewer yards than any other.

If the Panthers decide to blow the whole thing up, trading McCaffrey might be the quickest path to competing down the line. After all, just as the best online casinos give you the most bang for your buck, savvy NFL teams look to maximize value when trading away talent for future draft picks. That gives a team upside and a route to future competitiveness.

The NFL trade deadline is between Weeks 8 and 9, and interest has picked up this week as teams smell blood in the water. To that end, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Saturday that the Panthers are listening to offers.

The Carolina Panthers are listening to other teams about a potential trade for star running back Christian McCaffrey, although a deal might not be easy to complete, league sources tell ESPN.https://t.co/96y8r4AiCK

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 15, 2022

Bookies.com oddsmaker Adam Thompson has revealed his projected NFL odds for McCaffrey’s 2022 team after the trade deadline:

Christian McCaffrey Team After Trade Deadline

Odds are projected and do not reflect odds that may be available at legal betting sites or betting apps.

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After this season, McCaffrey has three years remaining on a deal that ranges between $13-18 million in cap hits during that time. That’s a lot of dough for a running back, especially one with CMC's injury history.

But he’s still just 26 years old, and he’s been an NFL Player of the Year candidate in his two full seasons. The last one, in 2019, he played all 16 games and totaled 1,387 rushing yards, 1,005 receiving yards and 18 TDs.

RELATED: Next Carolina Panthers Head Coach Odds

And he's healthy so far this season. Carolina's offense didn't consistently go to its top weapon, perhaps leading to the quick departure of Rhule. McCaffrey has 128, 115 and 104 total yards in three games, but only 34 and 36 in the other two.

Landing Spots For McCaffrey

The Bills have reportedly asked about the availability of McCaffrey, making every other GM in the league skip a heartbeat. The Bills already have the NFL’s No. 2 scoring offense and No. 1 unit in terms of yards gained. Imagine replacing Devin Singletary in that lineup with Christian McCaffrey. An unstoppable force becomes even better.

The Broncos lost RB1 Javonte Williams to a season-ending knee injury, leaving the backfield in the hands of veteran Melvin Gordon. Gordon is averaging 3.7 yards per rush, the lowest since his rookie season, and it was 3.1 in his one start without Williams. Gordon also has a well-documented fumbling issue (3 fumbles on 52 attempts). Denver is clearly a team trying desperately to “go for it” and is in a good spot in terms of salary cap space.

A few teams also looking to win now could make a push to improve their ground game. Two of the NFC’s presumed top contenders, the Buccaneers and Rams, rank 31st and 32nd, respectively, in rushing. Each team has used the pass game to get the ball to their backs. McCaffrey would give each contender a major boost, and both are in a win-now mode with aging QBs.

The Eagles reportedly have really wanted McCaffrey a few times over the last few years but it hasn’t worked out. Maybe now it does. Pairing CMC with Jalen Hurts is a major boost, and even better if Philly can keep Miles Sanders – who himself has shown signs of injury proneness – in the mix.

The 49ers are without their top RB Elijah Mitchell, though Jeff Wilson Jr. has picked up the slack. With Trey Lance out and Jimmy Garoppolo back under center, the Niners look like the class of the NFC West.

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