4 big takeaways from the Panthers’ loss at the Chiefs in Week 9
By Dean Jones
Curtis Samuel is growing in confidence
Curtis Samuel is clearly at the top of his game at the moment. The do-it-all wide receiver has really found his groove in an offense that is loaded with playmakers and Sunday’s showing at the Chiefs was a further indication of just how important he’s becoming to the Carolina Panthers.
It’s clear that Teddy Bridgewater trusts the former second-round pick, who is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady took a couple of weeks to figure out how best to use Samuel, and now it is paying off in spades.
Samuel extended his touchdown streak – which now stands at five in his last three games – and although it might not have come with any considerable yardage, there plenty of nice moments from a player that has made marked improvements from Week 1.
This is, of course, all strong indicators that a big payday might be in the offing for Samuel next spring. He’s in the final year of his deal and there is no doubt the wideout is going to command some substantial interest in free agency if the 2017 second-round pick tests the market.
Carolina has all the power in this situation, at least for now. But it a precarious predicament regarding a player who ended up with 113 all-purpose yards and one score at the Chiefs.