Panthers Rumors: Matt Corral Available After Trade for No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft

One year after selecting him in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers are ready to cut bait on Matt Corral, according to NFL Network's Mike Giardi.

Giardi reported Monday the Panthers "would be willing to move" Corral and that the "cost won't be high."

The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye followed up to add Corral "isn't being actively shopped for a trade" but that "a good offer could lead to anything during this time of year."

This comes after Carolina traded up to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, a move that allows the franchise to select the top quarterback on its board.

Assuming the Panthers do identify their QB of the future to open the 2023 draft, trading Corral would suit both parties.

Another team might be willing to provide the 24-year-old with some sort of path to the starting role, a door that appears to be all but closed with Carolina. The Panthers, meanwhile, can target a veteran backup who'd better match up with an inexperienced rookie.

It will be difficult to avoid trading Corral at a loss, though.

The former Ole Miss star went 10-of-24 for 69 yards in the preseason before suffering a season-ending Lisfranc injury. Because of that, he was unable to show whether he has much of a future in the league.

Corral's stock had already slid precipitously across his final season with the Rebels. The quarterback was once considered a possible first-rounder, but Bleacher Report NFL scout Nate Tice gave him a 7.3 overall grade and compared him to Baltimore Ravens backup Tyler Huntley prior to last year's draft.

A fresh start isn't guaranteed to kick-start Corral's NFL career, but it would probably put him on better footing for the 2023 season.