Jeremy Chinn stakes his claim for Defensive Rookie of the Year
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Chinn might be the frontrunner for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Nobody that has watched the Carolina Panthers this season hasn’t been impressed by Jeremy Chinn. The stud rookie has made the smoothest of transitions to the next level and the organization struck gold when they moved back into the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft to select the do-it-all defender.
However, his performance at the Minnesota Vikings announced Jeremy Chinn on the national stage.
The outside linebacker became the first player in NFL history to score a defensive touchdown on back-to-back plays in the third quarter, which completely shifted momentum in Carolina’s favor. This didn’t have an impact on the eventual result in the end after old habits of blowing things down the stretch reared their ugly head once again.
This should not detract from what an outstanding contribution Chinn made to the game. The touchdowns will generate the headlines, and rightfully so. But his performance overall was of the highest standard and has boosted his chances of securing Defensive Rookie of the Year in the process.
The award isn’t based on a team’s overall record like the overall NFL MVP, which is something working to Chinn’s advantage. He’ll need to finish strong after the bye, but the former Southern Illinois standout has given himself every chance.