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On the same day they landed star cornerback Stephon Gilmore in a trade, the Carolina Panthers also lobbied to sign former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Jaylon Smith, league sources told ESPN.
Shortly after sending a 2023 sixth-round pick to the New England Patriots for Gilmore, the Panthers attempted to convince Smith to join Carolina rather than the Green Bay Packers. The Washington football team has also expressed interest in Smith, who has an interest in both Carolina and Washington, according to sources.
But Smith finally decided to reunite with Packers head coach Matt LaFleur, with whom he spent two seasons at Notre Dame. Smith and LaFleur had kept in touch, had immense respect for each other, and this relationship ultimately helped convince Smith to go to Green Bay.
But it was not for lack of interest and attention from the Panthers (3-1), a team that had plans to further improve one of the best defenses in the league.
Panthers defensive back Donte Jackson said Wednesday that Gilmore’s exchange sent a message to the defense that “they are confident we can win now,” and GM Scott Fitterer echoed the sentiment, saying that the reason he pushed to acquire Gilmore was “to win now.”
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