Two weeks after benchingJon Beason, the Carolina Panthers have orchestrated a trade with a team that has a need at linebacker.
The Panthers have agreed to a trade that would send Beason to the New York Giants in exchange for a late-round draft pick, a source informed of the process told NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport on Thursday night. Beason passed his physical Friday, officially making him a Giant, Rapoport reported. The Panthers later announced the trade.
The deal is low-risk for the Giants, who will pay the rest of Beason's $1 million salary, but no roster bonuses, NFL Media's Kimberly Jones reported.
Jay Glazer of Fox Sports initially reported the trade scenario.
After splitting time evenly with Chase Blackburn in the Panthers' first two games this season, Beason played just one snap in the third game. It's ironic that he's been replaced by a player the Giants allowed to walk in free agency.
Although Beason started all 64 games while earning three Pro Bowl selections from 2007 to 2010, he has played just seven games since tearing his Achilles tendon in the 2011 season opener.
Beason's primary problem is that he has been a liability in coverage while regaining confidence in a knee that was surgically repaired in 2012.
The Giants will gamble that he can return to form and provide an upgrade at one of the linebacker spots. Regardless, this isn't the kind of trade that will reverse the fortunes of an 0-4 team allowing the most points in the NFL at the quarter-season mark.
*The "Around The League Podcast" handed out our quarter season awards this week. *
