NFL trade deadline: One move every team should make

28. Carolina Panthers: Trade Jonathan Stewart

It might not be a move that Panthers fans would be happy about, but it’s a move that needs to be made. Running back Jonathan Stewart has had a fantastic nine-year career for the Panthers, but it’s time to move on.

I’m not discrediting Stewart’s talents or what he’s done for the organization, it’s just simply time to move on. At the age of 30, he is past the prime of for a running back and the Panthers need to go young. They’ve got Christian McCaffrey waiting and he’s the future of this offense. He’s a rare type of back who’s a dual threat and more out of the backfield.

McCaffrey needs to be getting the majority of the touches at running back. He puts the Panthers offense in the best position to win games and has big-play ability everytime he puts his hands on the ball. Stewart has already taken a little bit of that backseat role, but as McCaffrey continues to get more integrated into the offense every week, Stewarts’ role will continue to diminish.

The Panthers could find a trade partner for Stewart. A team like the Vikings or even the Baltimore Ravens would benefit from acquiring a veteran running back. Trading Stewart would get the Panthers a late-round conditional draft pick and it wouldn’t hurt considering they already have his replacement in the backfield.