Panthers landed trade with Kansas City Chiefs' Ihmir Smith-Marsette thanks to Adam Thielen

When the Carolina Panthers traded for Ihmir Smith-Marsette, it was a move to add a healthy body to the injured wide receiver room.  Smith-Marsette has a skillset that adds versatility to what the Panthers can do offensively. He had a productive preseason, and the Panthers are landing a player willing to do the dirty work […]

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Aug 25, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) runs on to the field before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Feature image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

When the Carolina Panthers traded for Ihmir Smith-Marsette, it was a move to add a healthy body to the injured wide receiver room. 

Smith-Marsette has a skillset that adds versatility to what the Panthers can do offensively. He had a productive preseason, and the Panthers are landing a player willing to do the dirty work that doesn't end up in the stat sheet. 

But as it turns out, the Panthers landed Smith-Marsette because of the scouting veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen did. 

“He had some inside info because he was in Minnesota with Adam Thielen,” Reich said. “So, was able to call Adam and say, ‘Adam, tell me about this guy.’ So, got inside information from another player. That always is helpful.”

Smith-Marsette and Thielen overlapped in Minnesota. Smith-Marsette was a fifth-round draft pick of the Vikings in 2021. And in his short stint with the Vikings, Thielen was able to pick up on the type of player and person Smith-Marsette is and can be. 

“You guys will see, he has a very good personality,” Reich said Thielen told him of Smith-Marsette. “Apparently, he’s got a pretty exuberant personality — which is good. We like that energy. He has good energy is what they say.”

Other than Thielen's input, what Reich has seen of Smith-Marsette's game has impressed. 

“He’s a really good route runner,” Reich stated. “Very good hands. Know he’s a smart guy. If you’re on our roster, you need to be able to play all three positions ’cause we move guys around a lot.

“Had a good preseason, a productive preseason. He can catch punts. So, he could factor in there could not factor in there. We’ll see how it all plays out.”

During the preseason, Smith-Marsette caught nine of his 10 targets this preseason, totaling 195 yards and two touchdowns.

Feature image via Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.