5 Panthers players who could change jersey numbers in 2022

Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers OLB/S

Although Derrick Brown won’t be permitted to go back to the No. 5 he wore in dominant fashion during his days at Auburn, there is nothing stopping another of the stud rookies on the Carolina Panthers from changing their number now that the ruling has the seal of approval from owners. Jeremy Chinn is a possible candidate to move into the single-digits after wearing No. 2 at Southern Illinois, and he represents one of the more realistic possibilities considering he’s only been in the league for a year.

To say Chinn was a revelation for the Panthers in 2020 would be the biggest of understatements. He was a breath of fresh air for an organization that was reeling at the second level following the shock retirement of Luke Kuechly and had it not been for the high-profile Chase Young, he would have run away with the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award.

It appears as if the Panthers are planning to move Chinn back to his preferred position on the backend after a sensational season at outside linebacker. This should allow the player more freedom to make plays all over the field and might even come with a return back to his old number after wearing No. 21 as a rookie.

Now, that number does bear special significance in NFL terms. It’s one that comes with a huge amount of prestige thanks to the great Deion Sanders wearing it throughout one of the greatest careers in league history.