Should the Panthers Trade Jeremy Chinn?

Taking a look at options for the Carolina safety.

It’s about time for someone in Charlotte to put out a missing persons APB for Jeremy Chinn. After only playing on 18 defensive snaps (30%) on Sunday, one must wonder if his time in Carolina might be coming to an end sooner rather than later.

Switching from Steve Wilks' 4-3 scheme to Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 scheme was always going to mean a change in roles for many incumbent players, but the lack of playing time for Chinn has been staggering. When asked about his role and if he thinks the coaches are figuring out how to get him on the field more Chinn said, "I’m not 100% sure what their mindset is on that. I’m going to continue to control what I can control, and I believe everything is going to work out like it’s supposed to.”

Jeremy Chinn on playing significantly less snaps this year on defense: pic.twitter.com/cRWfbwvidD

— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) October 11, 2023

The 2020 third-round pick from Southern Illinois came into the league playing like his hair was on fire. He finished as the runner-up in the Defensive Rookie of the Year Vote behind Chase Young, collecting 68 tackles, a sack, and an interception. His pièce de résistance was week 13 of his rookie season in Minnesota where he recovered two fumbles and took them both back for six and almost singlehandedly won the game for the road underdogs. From 2020-2022, Chinn never played less than 90% of the snaps on defense when healthy. However, the stalwart on the back end has always had some questions about his game.

Folks have always wondered what Chinn’s best position is. Too small to play linebacker, too big to play safety. Not strong enough to consistently hold up against the run in the box, but not good enough in coverage to play as a deep defender and not get beaten over the top. It’s a tricky place to be in the modern NFL. We’ve seen it with Isaiah Simmons, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals, now a New York Giant, that if you are a jack-of-all-trades but a master of none, your place in the league is always a bit unsettled.

Two questions arise about this Jeremy Chinn situation. Should he be traded, and if so, what are some options for that trade?

To answer the first, it’s an obvious yes. 

Chinn has shown the ability to be a playmaker on a top-ten defense, and he should carry some value across the league. He is in the final year of his (cheap) rookie contract, and he could make an impact on a contending team quickly. He is too good of a player (even with his limitations) to be sitting on the bench of an 0-5 Panthers team and losing a prime year of his career.

Also, it makes sense on the Panthers end. After the Bryce Young trade, Carolina is strapped for draft assets, and getting anything in return for a talented player without a role on your team is a win. The problem Carolina faces though, is that teams rarely pony up significant draft capital on an in-season trade for a player at a non-premium position like Jeremy Chinn.

The closest example we can pull from last season was on October 31st when Chicago sent Roquan Smith, a middle linebacker, to Baltimore for A.J. Klein, a 2023 2nd-round pick, and a 2023 5th-round pick.

Chinn is maybe 70% of the player Roquan Smith is. Smith is on the field every down and he is the on-field communicator with the Ravens’ defensive coordinator. Chinn will not be that on his next team.

Realistically, Carolina could receive a 4th-round pick and a 6th-round pick in return for Chinn and it would be fair value. People reading this may not like the sound of that, but his lack of playing time has made him a distressed asset and opposing teams likely aren’t going to spend up on a player who’s contract expires at the end of the season. On Carolina’s end, any draft capital is useful for a team desperate for an influx of talent on both sides of the ball.

When asked about his name being thrown in trade rumors Chinn expressed an interest in staying in Charlotte, and giving his best every day he's on the team.. "Yeah, I’m just being where my feet are. This is where I’m at. This is where my heart is at. This is where my mind is at. This is where my body is at. This is where I am.”

Chinn on dealing with trade rumors if they happen to pop up. pic.twitter.com/LqaVc1ECQw

— Schuyler Callihan (@Callihan_) October 11, 2023

Whether it’s Scott Fitterer making the picks in April or a new general manager, having picks to play with is the most important thing for the Panthers’ future right now. If it takes moving Chinn (and potentially some other players), then so be it.