On the same day they landed star cornerback Stephon Gilmore in a trade, the Carolina Panthers also made a push to sign former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith, league sources told ESPN.
Shortly after sending a 2023 sixth-round draft pick to the New England Patriots for Gilmore, the Panthers made attempts to convince Smith to join Carolina rather than the Green Bay Packers. The Washington Football Team also expressed interest in Smith, who had mutual interest in both Carolina and Washington, according to sources.