The NFL's trade deadline has just passed and Carolina Panthers wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin will no longer be receiving passes from Cam Newton. The Panthers agreed to trade Benjamin to the Buffalo Bills in exchange for third and seventh round picks.
The 26-year old wide receiver has 32 catches for two touchdowns and a team-best 475 yards this season, and will immediately become the Bills' best pass catching weapon. So far this season, Buffalo's wide receivers rank last in the NFL in receptions (45) and last in receiving yards (594).
In Buffalo, Benjamin will be reunited with Bills head coach Sean McDermott and general manager Brandon Beane, both of whom used to work in Carolina. The Bills, 5-2, will be on the road in Week 9 as they take on the New York Jets this Thursday night.
As for the Panthers, wide receiver Devin Funchess now becomes their number one receiver. The team is already without Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, who has been on injured reserve since September 19th after breaking a bone in his right foot in during Carolina's Week 2 victory over the Bills. According to the Charlotte Observer, Olsen is eligible to begin practicing this week but said he’s planning a gradual return with an eye on the November 26th game against the Jets.
The Panthers, 5-3, will take on the division rival Atlanta Falcons at home this Sunday.
Kelvin Benjamin isn't the only big name player who was moved before the NFL's trade deadline for draft picks. The Miami Dolphins agreed to ship their Pro Bowl running back, Jay Ajayi, to Philadelphia in exchange for a fourth round draft pick.
Additionally, the New England Patriots agreed to trade their highly coveted backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo to the San Francisco 49ers for a 2018 second round pick.