The Panthers have traded receiver Robbie Anderson to the Cardinals, according to multiple reports.
The move came a day after the 29-year-old receiver said that he “had no idea” why he was kicked out of Monday’s (AEDT) game against the Rams.
The Cardinals will now owe Anderson the remaining $690,000 prorated portion of his base salary, according to NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero. The receiver was given a two-year, $29.5 million extension through 2023, but saw his numbers dip last season when he totaled 53 catches for 519 yards. His stats had regressed further this season in the pitiful Panthers offense, with him pulling in 13 catches for 206 yards through six games.
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The Cardinals, who traded a 2024 sixth-round pick and 2025 seventh-round pick to Carolina, according to Sports Illustrated, were in need of receiving help with wideout Marquise Brown suffering a potentially season-ending foot injury in Arizona’s loss to the Seahawks. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported. Brown is undergoing further testing to determine the extent of the injury. Anderson will join forces with DeAndre Hopkins, who is returning from suspension this week for the 3-3 Cardinals.
Anderson’s move came after a sideline blow-up in a 24-10 loss to the Rams.
With the Panthers trailing 17-10 in the third quarter, Anderson and position coach Joe Dailey engaged in their second argument of the game and interim coach Steve Wilks sent Anderson to the locker room.
“I was honestly confused,” Anderson told reporters after the defeat at SoFi Stadium. “I wanted to be in the game. I’ve never had somebody yell to get out of the game. So I was honestly confused and upset by that. I should be.
“I don’t see anyone that is a true competitor, that knows the value they bring and has true passion for the game, that will be OK with being told not to do something or being taken out of something when they didn’t do nothing wrong.”
Anderson denied that he wanted out of Carolina when asked specifically if he wanted to leave amid trade rumors.
“I’ve been in trade rumors before,” he said. “It’s part of the game. I don’t let it affect me.”
Before the game, ESPN reported that Anderson was a player the Panthers would consider dealing. Anderson didn’t have a catch.
Anderson and Dailey’s initial heated exchange occurred in the first half of the game after the receiver was taken off the field.
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“I don’t want anyone to have a misconception about me,” Anderson said. “Other times in my life when I’ve had moments of controversy, I didn’t speak up for myself.
“It’s not just about me. It’s for the young kids who go through similar things, they need to always stand firm and stand up for themselves. Certain principles I was raised on are non-negotiable. Before anything else, I’m a man and respect is mandated, and respect is earned.”
Dailey was not available for comment after the game, but Anderson chose to speak with reporters after meeting with general manager Scott Fitterer.
Anderson continued to question why he was removed from the game.
“I made a comment. It’s money down. Why am I being taken out?” he said. “You shouldn’t be OK with not being on that turf. You should want to make a play.
“Losing is not acceptable. You don’t play this game to lose. You could consider me a loser my whole life growing up. I didn’t get this far in life to continue to be a loser. It’s not what I work for.”
Meanwhile, Wilks did not go into great detail about the situation.
“No one is bigger than the team and I’m not gonna focus and put a lot of attention on one individual,” Wilks said following his first game as interim head coach after the Panthers fired Matt Rhule last Monday.
“Everybody is being evaluated as well as myself. We’ve got to figure out what’s going to be the right chemistry to put out on the field offensively and defensively.”
This story originally appeared on the New York Post.
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