The Arizona Cardinals have secured the services of disgruntled 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.
Swap could be good for both sides: Anderson’s days in Carolina appeared numbered after being kicked off the pitch by interim coach Steve Wilks during the second half of the Panthers’ 24-10 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday following an argument 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 reunite 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 Thursday night.
Anderson didn’t seem disappointed with Monday’s news, posting several emojis on social media, including a “crossed fingers” symbol.
The Cardinals (2-4) are hoping Anderson’s arrival — with Hopkins returning — can help an offense that has been among the worst in the NFL.
Anderson’s arrival coincides with the injury of Marquise Brown, who is expected to miss six weeks of play. He suffered 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 did not score an offensive touchdown in the game.
The Panthers will save $690,000 off 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 are hoping Anderson will be happier than he was at Carolina, which is going through a tough streak after firing coach Matt Rhule last week after a poor start to the season.
Anderson was close to Rhule who he played for at Temple University and he signed with the Panthers in 2020 when Rhule took over as coach.
During the first half of the Panthers’ game on Sunday, Anderson got into an argument with receivers coach Joe Dailey. He was on a stationary bike at the start of the third quarter before sitting alone on a cooler.
Anderson walked off 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 stepped 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 sideline incident.
“You know, everyone gets tested, including myself,” Wilks noted Sunday.
“So you have to find the right chemistry on the pitch. And very important thing as instructors; we have to find the right game plan. »
Of Anderson commenting: “I wouldn’t say I want to be traded, but I’ll let time do its thing. »
