The Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams, in the latest NFL rumors, could agree to a massive blockbuster trade before the 2026 season. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report believes Rams backup TE Colby Parkinson could be involved in the deal, as the Panthers are looking for one last upgrade in the receiving unit. Parkinson, a former fourth-round pick, led the tight end group with eight touchdowns, but could lose his job this upcoming season anyway. The Rams took second-round selection Max Klare, and the team already has a logjam in the room between Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen and veteran Tyler Higbee, who just signed a new contract.
This pushes out the 2020 draft selection, who could be seeking a trade before the upcoming campaign as he seeks a larger role. He’s already entering the final season of his three-year, $22.5M contract, so it’s sensible for the tight end to explore his options. Meanwhile, it’s easy to see how he could fit the mold under Bryce Young’s offense. After taking WR Chris Brazzell in this year’s draft while locking in Jalen Coker to a new deal, the Panthers are one pass-catcher away from having a complete offense.
Young is entering a pivotal 2026 season, so the team wants to ensure they load up on playmakers. While Moton suggests a mid-round pick for Parkinson, here’s a scenario that could work.
NFL Rumors: Panthers, Rams Connected in Huge $22M Trade
Goodbye, Xavier Legette?
This would be the perfect opportunity for the Rams to add a pass-catcher before the season. After coming close to trading Davante Adams to acquire AJ Brown, the team is in need of a WR3 to help Adams and Puka Nacua. While they can sign a free agent like Stefon Diggs, Deebo Samuel or Keenan Allen, the perfect route the Rams can take here is to start their rebuild early. It doesn’t mean they put their Super Bowl aspirations, but Adams could likely retire after the 2026 campaign.
Matthew Stafford will probably follow, which would leave Nacua and former first-round pick Ty Simpson figuring out the next step. On the other end, it shouldn’t be surprising to see the Panthers probably shop Legette right before Week 1. The Panthers took Brazzell and have John Metchie and Jimmy Horn Jr. for a larger role.
As a final proposal: The Panthers would receive Parkinson, while the Rams get Legette. This might be the most realistic solution for both sides. For the rest of this article, let’s examine three teams that could roll the dice on the tight end if he doesn’t end up in Carolina.
Other Possible Suitors
Kansas City Chiefs
With Travis Kelce marrying pop star Taylor Swift, the veteran tight end could be set to retire after the 2026 season. While this means a role could open for Noah Gray, the Kansas City Chiefs could create competition at the position to stabilize this group. Parkinson won’t be the next Kelce by any means, but it’d allow the team to move on without needing to worry about drafting a future tight end for the next two years at least.
QB Patrick Mahomes is coming off a season-ending injury and isn’t the same mobile pocket-passer. This means they could all the upgrades they can get right now, especially given the past WR Rashee Rice situation.
Dallas Cowboys
Although Jake Ferguson is still playing his best football, the same can’t be said about backup Luke Schoonmaker, who is projected to be cut before Week 1. The Dallas Cowboys are still figuring out a new contract for WR George Pickens while officially allowing him to play on the franchise tag. With Schoonmaker probably gone, Parkinson is the perfect replacement to stabilize this passing unit with four high-stakes weapons between Pickens, Ferguson, Parkinson and CeeDee Lamb.
Miami Dolphins
QB Malik Willis signed a long-term extension with the Miami Dolphins this offseason, but is entering a team that is in rebuild mode. After signing Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell in free agency, the team officially has one of the worst pass-catching units in the league. TE Greg Dulcich is solid, but that’s probably the lone playmaker that can do something explosive. Why not add more fuel to the fire?
Parkinson isn’t going to put on an All-Pro year, but Willis could use any help he can get to make his first-year in Miami easier.
