5 most important free-agents for the Panthers to re-sign in 2021
By Dean Jones
Curtis Samuel – Carolina Panthers WR
Curtis Samuel has the sort of skill set that is normally a hot commodity on the free-agent market. If the Carolina Panthers had any sense whatsoever, they won’t let things get that far.
The former second-round pick has been in tremendous form of late, building a prominent role in the offense that is loaded with playmakers everywhere you look. Samuel’s reliability both across the middle and on the outside has been a huge boost and if Carolina lost his services it has the potential to set them back considerably.
Samuel is a trusted target of quarterback Teddy Bridgewater – especially on third down – so providing the asking price isn’t too steep then hopefully a deal can be worked out. It would be a huge disappointment if the Panthers let a player of this quality walk and is sure to send out the wrong message about what sort of direction the organization is going in.
There are sure to be plenty of twists and turns in this saga to come. Samuel is projected to make $6.5 million per year on his next deal according to Spotrac, which is going to rise even further if it becomes a bidding war for his services.
The wideout might not even want to stay in Carolina no matter what they offer him. He remains the No. 4 option in the passing attack behind D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, and Christian McCaffrey. So the possibility of an increase in targets elsewhere could come with his departure.