The Arizona Cardinals secured the services of disgruntled wide receiver Robbie Anderson in a trade with the Carolina Panthers on Monday.
A person with knowledge of the transaction said the Panthers will get a sixth-round pick in 2024 and a seventh-round pick in 2025. This person spoke on condition of anonymity because certain details of the exchange were not announced.
The trade could be good for both parties: Anderson’s days in Carolina seemed numbered after interim coach Steve Wilks kicked him off the field in the second half of the Panthers’ 24-10 loss to the Carolinas. Discussion with an assistant coach.
Anderson, 29, has been productive for the Jets and Panthers for the past seven seasons. His best year came in 2020 when he caught 95 passes for 1,096 yards and three touchdowns.
Anderson joins a Cards offense that will also meet with DeAndre Hopkins, who missed the first six games of the season after being suspended for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The Cards host the Saints on Thursday night.
Anderson didn’t seem disappointed with Monday’s news and posted several emojis on social media, including a “fingers crossed” symbol.
The Cardinals (2-4) hope Anderson’s arrival, with the return of Hopkins, can help an offense that has been among the worst in the NFL.
Anderson’s arrival coincides with the injury to Marquise Brown, who will miss six weeks of play due to a foot injury in Sunday’s 19-9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. This season, the receiver was taken from the Baltimore Ravens in the draft and had 485 yards and three touchdowns in six games this season with the Cardinals.
Arizona is coming off a frustrating 19-9 loss to Seattle. The Cardinals didn’t score an offensive touchdown in the game.
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The Panthers will save $690,000 from the salary cap this year as a result of the trade but will have to absorb $19.4 million over the next two seasons.
The Cardinals hope Anderson will be happier than he was in Carolina, which is going through a rough patch after firing coach Matt Rhule last week following a poor start to the season.
Anderson was close to Rhule, for whom he played at Temple University, and signed with the Panthers in 2020 when Rhule took over as coach.
During the first half of the Panthers’ game on Sunday, Anderson argued with receivers coach Joe Dailey. He was on a stationary bike at the beginning of the third quarter before sitting alone in a refrigerator.
Anderson left the field late in the third quarter when he exchanged words with Dailey again. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Wilks, who stood between the two and sent Anderson back to the locker room.
Neither Wilks nor Anderson seemed willing to make a long-term commitment to Carolina after the banking incident.
“You know, everybody gets tested, including me,” Wilks said Sunday.
“So you have to find the right chemistry on the field. And something very important as instructors; We have to find the right game plan.
