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Xavier Legette #17 of the Carolina Panthers.
The Carolina Panthers have struggled with getting Wide Receiver Xavier Legette going in the NFL.
The former first round draft pick has not shown much improvement while he has been in the league. As a result, there are rumors going around if the Panthers should trade the wideout.
A potential trade proposal from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has Legette being traded for Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman. According to Barnwell’s article, the Panthers would give up a fifth-round draft pick to get Pittman.
“There’s no comparing Pittman and Legette as players; Pittman has been far more productive and reliable during his career than Legette, who has struggled with drops and inconsistent play. But Pittman is making $22 million in the final year of the three-year extension he signed with the Colts.” Barnwell wrote.
“After racking up 1,152 receiving yards in his final year before that contract extension, Pittman has managed 808 yards in 2024 and 784 this past year. He dropped from 24th in yards per route run among wide receivers in 2023 to 43rd in 2024 and 44th in 2025.”
Michael Pittman’s Addition Would Improve Panthers WR Core
Michael Pittman Jr. has 25 career touchdowns while playing for the Indianapolis Colts. If Pittman gets traded to Carolina, he could fit well with the weapons they already have.
With Bryce Young at quarterback, Pittman would be paired with reigning offensive rookie of the year Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan had over 1,000 yards in his debut season with the Panthers. Pittman would also work alongside Jalen Coker, a wideout who has made a name for himself in big games.
“All of Pittman’s 2026 salary is nonguaranteed, so Indy could cut him if needed. He would have some modest trade value as a WR2 for teams that aren’t spending a ton on their passing game, though.” Barnwell wrote.
“The Panthers fit the bill there, as Bryce Young, Jalen Coker and Tetairoa McMillan are all on their rookie contracts. The 6-foot-4 Pittman would be another big target in a Panthers wide receiver room full of them, and Pittman’s work underneath would allow McMillan more freedom to work from the slot and at the intermediate and deep levels of the field.”
Xavier Legette Could Use a Change of Scenery
After struggling the find his stride in the city of Charlotte, it’s clear Carolina still believes Legette can be great. After all, the Carolina Panthers did use a first-round pick on the wideout.
With two years under his belt, Legette has 784 yards in total. The Colts could use Legette in ways the Carolina Panthers possibly cannot.
” [GM Chris] Ballard has loved drafting high-end athletes at receiver during his time in Indianapolis, and Legette certainly qualifies. Having just turned 25, Legette still might have some room for growth.” Barnwell wrote.
“This trade gives the Panthers a really solid trio. McMillan, Coker, and Pittman Jr. would be the best WR trio the Panthers have had in ages.” Zach Roberts wrote in a Sports Illustrated article. “It would also allow them to call it on the failed Legette experiment and maintain the same total number of 2026 draft picks to play with.”
DeonTay Smith is a journalist who covers the NFL for Heavy.com with a focus on the Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and the Baltimore Ravens. A graduate from Methodist University, Smith also covers local news for the Panama City News Herald and hosts his own YouTube podcast. More about DeonTay Smith
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