Don't Be Surprised if Jonathan Stewart is Traded Soon (1 Viewer)

[Couch Potato]

Mike Tolbert is currently in negotiations with Carolina, which seems like a head scratcher with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart on the roster -- unless you consider the possibility of a Stewart trade.

Both Stewart and Williams are currently being under-utilized with Newton running so much, getting about 10 and 11 carries per game last year respectively. Williams signed a fat deal last offseason and that contract (including the guaranteed money) makes him very unlikely to be moved. But Stewart, on the last year of his rookie contract and only 25 years old, would have attraction to teams looking for a first rate RB.

Carolina knows that if they keep Stewart, next year they either lose him to free agency or have to pony up another Williams-like contract to keep him (or franchise tag him, also expensive for the RB position). That's too much $$$ tied up in the RB position when the QB is the focal point of the offense.

A team like the Bengals, who have no starter currently and know they have no shot at Richardson, would seem to make sense. Also the Jets, who have never been afraid to make trades to improve, and are not totally enamored with Greene and are losing pass-catcher Tomlinson, might jump at the chance at Stewart, who has shown himself to be pretty good receiving the ball.

Maybe even Tampa who drafts at #5 but who may decide either (a) Cleveland is taking Richardson at #4, or (b) they really have to take CB Claiborne at #5 to help their woeful defense.

I've seen the Stewart trade possibility in a couple of places the last week or so -- and the Tolbert talks fuels this further -- but haven't seen it mentioned on this board, so I thought I'd post about it and see what guys here think.

 

[Buck Stop]

no chance. i live in NC. The owner, coaches, everyone loves the RB duo. HIGHLY unlikely, although I wish it were true.

 

[Couch Potato]

After the things we've already seen this offseason, I'd be careful using the phrase "no chance" with anything.

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

Good topic. as good as Stewart is, i don't see anyone giving a 1st rounder (and new deal) for him. (to put in perspective, no ones giving a late 1st & contract to mike Wallace)

these early picks are worth so much more now....best move the leagues made in a long time is revamping the rookie salary structures.

 

[Ack88]

Mike Tolbert is currently in negotiations with Carolina, which seems like a head scratcher with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart on the roster -- unless you consider the possibility of a Stewart trade.Both Stewart and Williams are currently being under-utilized with Newton running so much, getting about 10 and 11 carries per game last year respectively. Williams signed a fat deal last offseason and that contract (including the guaranteed money) makes him very unlikely to be moved. But Stewart, on the last year of his rookie contract and only 25 years old, would have attraction to teams looking for a first rate RB. Carolina knows that if they keep Stewart, next year they either lose him to free agency or have to pony up another Williams-like contract to keep him (or franchise tag him, also expensive for the RB position). That's too much $$$ tied up in the RB position when the QB is the focal point of the offense.A team like the Bengals, who have no starter currently and know they have no shot at Richardson, would seem to make sense. Also the Jets, who have never been afraid to make trades to improve, and are not totally enamored with Greene and are losing pass-catcher Tomlinson, might jump at the chance at Stewart, who has shown himself to be pretty good receiving the ball.Maybe even Tampa who drafts at #5 but who may decide either (a) Cleveland is taking Richardson at #4, or (b) they really have to take CB Claiborne at #5 to help their woeful defense.I've seen the Stewart trade possibility in a couple of places the last week or so -- and the Tolbert talks fuels this further -- but haven't seen it mentioned on this board, so I thought I'd post about it and see what guys here think.

I think this is certainly a possibility. Otherwise, why would Carolina even bother hosting Tolbert? Of all the teams in the NFL, Carolina seems like the last team to want and/or need an RB, unless they were looking to change what they already have rostered.The Bengals seem to make logical sense, but they don't seem likely to meet the financial demands of a big new contract next year. Tampa Bay?...I would say no simply because the Bucs have a really high pick (#5?). Is it even a possibility the Patriots are involved? Their management style and valuation of players would say no, but perhaps, as Brady's window closes the Pats would be willing to make an exception for one last charge?

 

[Sabertooth]

Please be true.

 

[Shutout]

I would drool if this happens but I wonder if it would more likely mean trading or releasing DWIL and getting out from under than contract.

But maybe this thought has some legs to it. As someone mentioned above, draft picks are more valuable now. Maybe a team like Denver is really eyeballing a player they want to draft but would like to get a RB too, so they trade to get both.

 

[KellysHeroes]

They ain't going to get much

 

[RBM]

Carolina giving Williams that huge deal continues to look really foolish. Stewart is so ready to take over.

 

[cstu]

What's the cap hit on Deangelo?

 

[The Comedian]

Stewart, like most players in the league, falls in between the gap of what would benefit CAR giving him up for and what another team would be willing to give up for him.

 

[bicycle_seat_sniffer]

ah yes the annual stewart owners "keep hope alive" thread

 

[Tau837]

Please be true.

 

[Steed]

No one would give a first but maybe a combo of a 2nd n 3rd?

 

[Couch Potato]

Ha! I beat Rotoworld by an hour and 2 minutes. LOL. This just in...

Jonathan Stewart - RB - PanthersESPN's Pat Yasinskas agrees that Jonathan Stewart is more likely to become trade bait than DeAngelo Williams if the Panthers sign free agent Mike Tolbert.This possibility was first floated by the Charlotte Observer, and Yasinskas is a trusted voice as a former Panthers beat reporter. Stewart is entering a contract year, and the Panthers probably won't be able to retain both him and the overpaid Williams behind 2012. If the Panthers do shop Stewart before April's draft, they shouldn't settle for any less than a second-round pick.Source: ESPN.comMar 18 - 9:44 PM

 

[whatadai]

jets, broncos, bengals, browns, steelers, colts, giants, packers, vikings, falcons, buccaneers

could all trade for him imo

 

[Donnybrook]

I have to admit it is odd that the Panthers are even looking at Tolbert. They need to spend their money on defensive players.

 

[5Rings]

Good post, CP. Makes (too much) sense.

 

[MAC_32]

I'm good with the Browns sitting tight at 36 and taking Martin or Miller. If neither make it though I'd be good with trading our #2 for J Stew.

 

[Sinrman]

Carolina giving Williams that huge deal continues to look really foolish. Stewart is so ready to take over.

Agreed, but I say more because of DeAngelo's age. He'll be 29 in a month. No way they sign Tolbert AND keep both Williams and Stewart. That'sa lot of $$ in one position.

 

[whatadai]

I have to admit it is odd that the Panthers are even looking at Tolbert. They need to spend their money on defensive players.

Like LB like they did last year?

 

[Terpman22]

I'm good with the Browns sitting tight at 36 and taking Martin or Miller. If neither make it though I'd be good with trading our #2 for J Stew.

This is what I am thinking. Read an article today(forget where) that argued the new rookie wage scale is really just going to kill the big $ market for non-elite RB's anymore simply b/c of attrition at the position and the fact you can draft one in round 2-4, hit on a decent one and you own him for 4 years at a very cheap price. Obviously, you have to hit on the pick, but it seems less likely a team is going to trade for a contract-year RB@25, extend him to big $ AND trade a 2 or 3 for a guy like Stewart when they can keep their cash and get their own guy. Just my .02

 

[QuizGuy66]

I have a hard time thinking the Bengals are going to spend big $ at RB. Stewart presumably would mean big $. Just too fungible a position these days.

-QG

 

[cstu]

Ha! I beat Rotoworld by an hour and 2 minutes. LOL. This just in...

Jonathan Stewart - RB - PanthersESPN's Pat Yasinskas agrees that Jonathan Stewart is more likely to become trade bait than DeAngelo Williams if the Panthers sign free agent Mike Tolbert.This possibility was first floated by the Charlotte Observer, and Yasinskas is a trusted voice as a former Panthers beat reporter. Stewart is entering a contract year, and the Panthers probably won't be able to retain both him and the overpaid Williams behind 2012. If the Panthers do shop Stewart before April's draft, they shouldn't settle for any less than a second-round pick.Source: ESPN.comMar 18 - 9:44 PM

I guess it was really a matter of time once they gave Deangelo that insane contract. The problem is that I don't think they'd even be able to get a 2nd for him. What I would do is keep Stewart, sign him to a long-term deal at the end of the year and cut Deangelo (it would be a $4.85M cap hit).The other alternative (and the one I think they have in mind) is to trade Stewart, cut Deangelo as soon as 2014 and draft his replacement.

 

[Tau837]

They never should have drafted Stewart. Once they did, they never should have resigned Williams. Now they have the opportunity to #### up their RB situation again.

 

[Banger]

Hope so...was able to add him cheap down the stretch run in a keeper league hoping something like this would happen and that he'd get a shot somewhere...fingers crossed. He can be a stud in the right situation.

 

[GroveDiesel]

None of that makes any sense to me. No team would give them more than a 3rd round pick for Stewart, especially knowing they'd have to give him a decent sized contract. And Tolbert would cost Carolina enough that it just doesn't seem worth it at all.

 

[zamboni]

I'm good with the Browns sitting tight at 36 and taking Martin or Miller. If neither make it though I'd be good with trading our #2 for J Stew.

This is what I am thinking. Read an article today(forget where) that argued the new rookie wage scale is really just going to kill the big $ market for non-elite RB's anymore simply b/c of attrition at the position and the fact you can draft one in round 2-4, hit on a decent one and you own him for 4 years at a very cheap price. Obviously, you have to hit on the pick, but it seems less likely a team is going to trade for a contract-year RB@25, extend him to big $ AND trade a 2 or 3 for a guy like Stewart when they can keep their cash and get their own guy. Just my .02

I would tend to agree, which is why Carolina may be trying to get something for Stewart now rather than potentially lose him for nothing at the end of 2012. Since the offense is clearly going to go through Newton, Carolina may not view its RB strength as critical as in years past under Fox, and that a guy like Tolbert can fill in enough to cover the loss of Stewart.Personally, I also don't see why they just keep Stewart around and let DeAngelo go next year, but those are cap decisions that management has to contemplate as RB is obviously not only the factor that will need to be addressed next year.

 

[JAA]

Jets make a lot of sense

 

[duaneok66]

Carolina seems to have no idea what they are doing at that position - none of it makes any sense.

 

[duaneok66]

Jets make a lot of sense

for Tolbert? agreed.

 

[zamboni]

Carolina seems to have no idea what they are doing at that position - none of it makes any sense.

Disagree - I think they absolutely know what they are doing. This is not the John Fox Panthers, with QB rather than RB now the focal point of the offense. They know that they will have to make a decision next year about possibly having to pay Stewart big bucks and want to do something pre-emptively while they still have a valuable trading chip.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Why trade Stewart? Why not just cut DWil and that huge salary? Seems like having many millions off the books and keeping a long-term top end RB would be worth more than what you might get for Stewart in a trade. Seems like RBs just don't trade for much in the NFL.

 

[Grahamburn]

Tampa does make some sense, but divisional foes don't make trades too often.

 

[Steed]

Jets make a lot of sense

for Tolbert? agreed.

Tolbert kinda insulted them when he said he let's his play do the talking. The Giants would be the better NY team for him.

 

[Shutout]

The more I think about this, I REALLY don't see the logic in it from anyone's point of view.

If they cut DWIL, there's a cap hit that is probably as significant as what they will also pay to get tolbert (so that is Bad x2).

If they trade JSTEW, they save less than what they signed Tolbert for and arguably have an inferior player.

If another team is looking to trade for JSTEW, then why not contact Tolbert and sign him for less or , at least, save the draft pick?

Its hard to imagine anyone wanting to trade for DWIL and his contract.

It seems the only scenario I find reasonable is one where A) the Panthers have looked at this as a way to get something before losing JSTEW outright, B)think Tolbert can fill the vacancy of JSTEW given what the team wants to do, and C) think they have a trading partner out there that is looking at this as JSTEW is what will get them over the top or they seems to think JSTEW is by far and away (and worth the price it will take) better than just drafting a rookie. In other words, who out there thinks JSTEW is a special/elite RB that puts their team over the hump?

 

[QuizGuy66]

What kind of contract extension do people figure Stewart would be looking for. Does the inflated price the Panthers paid for DeAngelo impact that thinking? Foster got what, 5 years at $43.5m? I would think the 4 yr/$31m that Lynch got would probably be more the expectation that Stewart has. But that's a ton of money for that position.

Now if my Bengals somehow got him for a 2nd round pick and got him for say 4 yr/$22m or so I'd probably sign off on that. But I don't think that's tenable.

-QG

 

[duaneok66]

Jets make a lot of sense

for Tolbert? agreed.

Tolbert kinda insulted them when he said he let's his play do the talking. The Giants would be the better NY team for him.

i stand corrected. You are right - bad fit.

 

[identikit]

per Jason La Canfora:

RB Mike Tolbert agrees to 4yr deal with Panthers.

 

[duaneok66]

Carolina seems to have no idea what they are doing at that position - none of it makes any sense.

Disagree - I think they absolutely know what they are doing. This is not the John Fox Panthers, with QB rather than RB now the focal point of the offense. They know that they will have to make a decision next year about possibly having to pay Stewart big bucks and want to do something pre-emptively while they still have a valuable trading chip.

I am talking about last year and now. You have a 1st round back in the fold in Stewart - DWill's contract comes up and you extend him - why?? Then you (maybe) bring in Tolbert so you can trade Stewart in a soft market.

 

[duaneok66]

per Jason La Canfora:RB Mike Tolbert agrees to 4yr deal with Panthers.

wow - I just don't get it.

 

[identikit]

per Jason La Canfora:RB Mike Tolbert agrees to 4yr deal with Panthers.

wow - I just don't get it.

Same here.Unless one of the Carolina rbs is on the move.

 

[duaneok66]

i can see Steart going to the Bengals (i guess) for a 2nd-3rd pick - and he is an every down back, so then they'd have Benson's replacement and still keep their two first rounders this year.

 

[JHuber77]

I see Denver making a play for JStew. Fox knows him, also need someone to upgrade at RB since McGahee is getting old. Not to mention that Knowshon Moreno days are numbered in Denver IMO.

 

[duaneok66]

nice call on the Broncos.

 

[Kleck]

Panthers should keep Stewart, draft Richardson and run a quadruple wing option.

 

[Donsmith753]

I see Denver making a play for JStew. Fox knows him, also need someone to upgrade at RB since McGahee is getting old. Not to mention that Knowshon Moreno days are numbered in Denver IMO.

Stuck behind another goal line vulture QB

 

[duaneok66]

I see Denver making a play for JStew. Fox knows him, also need someone to upgrade at RB since McGahee is getting old. Not to mention that Knowshon Moreno days are numbered in Denver IMO.

Stuck behind another goal line vulture QB

i sympathize with you, but it's not all about FF. These moves sometimes are interesting just from an NFL aspect.

 

[imagroid]

per Jason La Canfora:RB Mike Tolbert agrees to 4yr deal with Panthers.

wow - I just don't get it.

Same here.Unless one of the Carolina rbs is on the move.

or maybe he was really cheap...what's the $$$??

 

[Sweet Love]

I see Denver making a play for JStew. Fox knows him, also need someone to upgrade at RB since McGahee is getting old. Not to mention that Knowshon Moreno days are numbered in Denver IMO.

Lemme take this further, and something I have been thinking about for days...Stewart for Tebow (IF the Broncos, and maybe even if NOT at the rate they have been jerking him around). Both are first round drafts (neither are 1st round talents, but not far off). Foxy like Stewart, needs to move Tebow. Denver, has made it quite clear that they do not want Tebow...but where do they toss him? Carolina, is in a very unique situation; they need a proper backup, but also are in a place where their starter (Cam) will not hear footsteps behind him...there are literally 4-5 teams that would fit this mold (not saying Cam is top 5 yet, but the kid has a lot of juice going into 2012-13. Who is most similar to Cam? Tebow, though not as good. It would present Carolina with a unique opportunity to backup a QB, who happens to put his body on the line much more than the typical franchise QB, and they are similar enough, that the offense would not shutdown at the prospect of losing their starter (where do they go when they go from Cam to Clausen...both talent and style). I say it is a win-win for both, but if Denver cannot close Manning, I am not sure if it happens...