We learned this past week that the Carolina Panthers really like C.J. Henderson. Today, we learned that they really really like C.J. Henderson.
According to NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo, the Panthers attempted to trade for the second-year cornerback before the 2021 NFL draft. Garafolo stated they were initially rebuffed, as the Jacksonville Jaguars tried to see the relationship with the 2020 ninth overall pick through.
That bid towards reconciliation, however, was obviously short-lived.
“At some point, it became clear it was just a matter of time before the Jaguars were gonna trade him,” Garafolo noted on Saturday’s edition of “Good Morning Football.” “He just didn’t really mesh with [Jacksonville head coach] Urban Meyer and the current coaching staff.”
Didn’t mesh with Urban Meyer, huh? You don’t say . . .
Perhaps another takeaway from this additional piece of information could raise an intriguing “What if . . . ?” had the Panthers actually acquired Henderson prior to the draft. Henderson would’ve given them that outside presence they were looking for at the time to add alongside Donte Jackson.
So would the team still have taken cornerback Jaycee Horn with the eighth overall selection? And if not, what that have given way to quarterback Justin Fields landing in Carolina?
Either way, general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule got their man in Horn. And then they (finally) got their other man in Henderson.
