Carolina Panthers: Top 5 priorities for contract extensions in 2021
By Dean Jones
3. player. 87. TAHIRWHITEHEAD. Pick Analysis. INSIDE LINEBACKER. . Scouting Report
3. Carolina Panthers 2021 extension: Tahir Whitehead (ILB)
Tahir Whitehead has plenty of responsibility on his shoulders in 2020. The Carolina Panthers have placed their faith in him to fill the role of legendary linebacker Luke Kuechly, who announced his shock retirement this offseason.
The Panthers made the decision not to draft a long-term replacement despite allocating every selection to the defensive side of the ball. Whitehead is working on a one-year, $2.5 million deal and could represent a real bargain if he shows the same sort of form the player produced at the Las Vegas Raiders.
Defensive coordinator Phil Snow will know exactly what he’s getting from Whitehead. He is a hugely committed player who always seems to be around the ball. But his lack of ability in coverage has the potential to get exposed.
That being said, Whitehead should be a plug and play starter that can also emerge as a leader on defense. This will be equally as important when one considers the number of veteran players that left the set-up in free agency.
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If the former fifth-round pick can play well, then a longer-term deal should be in the offing. Carolina could draft a potential replacement for Kuechly in 2021. But they will still need someone like Whitehead around during the transition.
He is going to get the starting job going forward. But what comes next will be up to the player.