Predicting Which Free Agents the Panthers Will Re-Sign

The Panthers have 18 unrestricted free agents. We look at who the organization will try to bring back.

After agreeing to deals with LB Frankie Luvu, QB P.J. Walker, LS J.J. Jansen, TE Ian Thomas, and K Zane Gonzalez, the Panthers now have 18 unrestricted free agents. What will happen to each of them? Let's dive in!

Cam Newton - Let walk

I get Panthers fans would love to see Cam Newton return and mentor a young quarterback like Malik Willis, but I just don't see it making sense for either side. Cam wants to be in a winning situation and he should. The Panthers may not even take a quarterback in this class and if that's the case, there's no reason to have him and Sam Darnold both on the roster. Let Cam go somewhere he can impact the game and have a chance to win a Super Bowl.

RB Ameer Abdullah - Re-sign

Abdullah showed flashes of what he could do in the final week of the season against Tampa Bay. He was also a "jolt" to the offense in Atlanta earlier in the year. This is a guy that Matt Rhule likes and gives the Panthers a reliable receiver out of the backfield when McCaffrey is not on the field. 

WR Alex Erickson - Let walk

Erickson was picked up last minute essentially to just return punts. He did okay but I have a feeling the Panthers will want to look in another direction. Heck, they may give someone like Shi Smith a chance to fill in that role. 

WR Brandon Zylstra - Re-sign

Although he was only targeted 25 times on the year, Zylstra led the team in catch percentage, hauling in 72% of passes thrown his way. He's not going to be a huge difference maker on this team but he is a quality depth piece.

OT Trent Scott - Let walk

Over the past two seasons, Scott has played just about everywhere along the offensive line. His primary role was to be a swing tackle but filled in at guard from time to time. He did a decent job in 2020, but man, 2021 was a rough one for him. 

OL John Miller - Re-sign

If this were up to me, I'd let Miller walk. Then again, this is what I believe the Panthers will do, not what I think they should do. Miller is a Matt Rhule guy. According to Rhule, he's one of the toughest guys he's been around and plays through injuries all the time. We'll see if that's enough to get another contract in Carolina. 

Matt Paradis - Let walk

Potentially another spot the Panthers could look to upgrade. Paradis never lived up to the expectations surrounding him when he arrived from Denver. Pat Elflein is still under contract for one more year, so it would make sense for Carolina to let Paradis go and give Elflein one more shot since he's going to be on the books anyway.

DE Marquis Haynes - Let walk

The Panthers listened to trade offers for Haynes around the trade deadline, so it's hard for me to imagine they will bring him back on a new deal. Solid pass rusher that doesn't have a true path to playing time. However, if Carolina is unable to re-sign Haason Reddick, then this may open the door for a potential return for Haynes, although still unlikely.

DT DaQuan Jones - Let walk

Jones was up and down in 2021 and didn't really give the Panthers what they needed from the veteran. Gap discipline was a big problem here and there and didn't make many plays behind the line of scrimmage because of it. 

LB Jermaine Carter Jr. - Let walk

The Panthers could bring in another linebacker through free agency or the draft. He played well enough to put himself in a position to earn a decent contract this offseason. Unfortunately, I don't see the Panthers being comfortable paying him with other options available. 

LB Haason Reddick - Will likely walk

As much as the Panthers would love to see Reddick return, it seems very unlikely at this point. Reddick didn't get the interest/money a year ago in free agency with many teams around the league still having their doubts about him. With back-to-back double digit sack seasons, he's about to get a major pay day. Carolina will do everything they can to bring him back, but I don't think they have the ability to outbid anyone for his services. 

CB Stephon Gilmore - Will likely walk

There are two reasons why the Panthers should and will likely try to re-sign Stephon Gilmore. 1. He's one of the best corners in the game and can absolutely shutdown a team's top receiver. 2. He's going to be 32 next season and it gives the Panthers young corners a veteran to work with and learn from. Unfortunately, he's going to be too pricey for the Panthers and with Jaycee Horn, C.J. Henderson, and Keith Taylor still in the early stages of their respective careers, I don't expect Carolina to unload a lot of cash to bring back a guy where they aren't thin at. 

CB Donte Jackson - Let walk

Jackson had arguably his best season of his four-year career in 2021 and will be up for a major payday. Given the small glimpse we saw from Jaycee Horn and C.J. Henderson, it's clear that the Panthers believe those two can be starters moving forward into the future. Bringing back Jackson on a three or four year deal just doesn't make much sense as opposed to letting these younger corners develop.

CB Rashaan Melvin - Re-sign

With Gilmore likely to leave in free agency and the possibility of Donte Jackson leaving as well, the Panthers need to have a couple of veterans in that cornerback room along with Jaycee Horn, C.J. Henderson, and Keith Taylor. Already having familiarity in the defense should make this an easy decision for Carolina if they lose both Jackson and Gilmore.

S Juston Burris - Let walk

Burris dealt with injuries in each of the past two seasons and with Kenny Robinson starting to really develop, I see them opting for the younger player with more upside. Burris served as a band aid to until the Panthers felt comfortable with Robinson or another option. Carolina could still look for outside help via free agency.

S Sean Chandler - Re-sign

Chandler was a pleasant surprise this past season. He made plays all over the place during training camp and in the preseason, which carried over to the regular season. I'm not sure if he has the makeup to be a starter but definitely someone who can make an impact as a rotational player.

P Lachlan Edwards - Let walk

The Panthers had a number of punters in this past season as well. Edwards was clearly the best and posted a career-high 47.9 yards per punt. He had a few mishits in there but for the most part, he was solid. However, new special teams coordinator Chris Tabor will have his hands all over the decision-making behind this and will likely bring in a new punter.

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