If you’re looking for answers regarding today’s huge trade between the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills, this story might help.

Just before the buzzer of the NFL’s annual trade deadline, Carolina dealt wide receiver and former first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin to Buffalo in exchange for two picks in next year’s draft.

Benjamin never lived up to his status as a first-rounder and the team needed to shake up their offense. Nevertheless, a lot of fans and even some players are upset about the trade.

So, why would the Panthers deal their best wide receiver?

According to Joe Person at the Charlotte Observer, interim general manager Marty Hurney says he wanted to change the team’s dynamic at wide receiver, adding more speed and a different skill set.

On Benjamin trade: Marty Hurney says Panthers wanted more speed on the field and different skill sets among WRs. — Joe Person (@josephperson) October 31, 2017

Reading between the lines, Hurney is talking about the redundancies between Benjamin and third-year receiver Devin Funchess.

Much like Benjamin, Funchess is a big-bodied kind of weapon (6-foot-5, 236 pounds compared to 6-foot-5, 243 pounds for Benjamin). Funchess is quicker, but he’s still slower than your average NFL wide receiver and his route-running has been inconsistent since coming into the league.

With Benjamin gone, it opens up more opportunities for smaller receiving options like Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard and Christian McCaffrey.

None of those guys can compete with Benjamin’s size and catch radius. However, they definitely have him beat when it comes to route running, separation and elusiveness.

For what it’s worth, this is more than just a football move. As Person pointed out, the Panthers will also be saving over $8 million in salary cap room for next season.

Devin Funchess & Kelvin Benjamin very similar in size and speed. This move frees up $8.25M vs cap in '18 and gives Curtis Samuel more oppty. — Joe Person (@josephperson) October 31, 2017

At least Benjamin can take comfort in knowing that he’s going to a contender.

Benjamin will have a chance to prove he’s a true No. 1 wideout with Tyrod Taylor and the Bills, who are struggling something awful in the passing game. At the moment, Jordan Matthews is their leading wide receiver with just 15 catches for 193 yards on the year.

Despite their offensive issues, Buffalo is in great shape heading into Week 9. Led by former Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, the Bills are 5-2, just half a game behind the Patriots for first place in the AFC East.