ESPN NFL

Posted by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas

TAMPA, Fla. -- I'm out at One Buc Place for minicamp, but the Bucs might not be the only NFC South team that could get involved in the Jay Cutler sweepstakes.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen thinks the Panthers could be a contender because they could offer disgruntled defensive end Julius Peppers in a trade. Hey, it makes sense on a lot of levels and both teams could get rid of headaches. I'm thinking the Panthers probably would have to add a draft pick or two along with Peppers to make a deal work.

But keep in mind that moves like this are totally out of character for coach John Fox and general manager Marty Hurney, who have a strong loyalty to incumbent quarterback Jake Delhomme. Sure, there may be some questions about Cutler, but the Panthers already have plenty of questions with Peppers.

I still think it's a long shot that Carolina even gets involved in the Cutler situation. But you have to at least wonder about the possibility because opportunities to get a guy who already has pretty much established himself as a franchise quarterback don't come around very often. Might be time for the Panthers to consider going off their usual path.