4 upcoming Panthers free agents who may not be back in 2022
By Dean Jones
Jermaine Carter – Carolina Panthers LB
Jermaine Carter’s 2020 season was certainly a strange one. There was a clear clash of personalities between the linebacker and new head coach Matt Rhule, meaning he was a relative afterthought in his plans and saw little in the way of playing time over the first half of the campaign.
The poor production of free-agent signing Tahir Whitehead brought Carter back into the team’s thoughts, which came with a significant leap in production at the second level. The Carolina Panthers looked a stronger defensive unit when the former fifth-round pick was on the field and providing there aren’t any further problems between the player and Rhule, a prominent role on the rotation should be his moving forward.
How Carter performs in 2021 will go a long way in determining his long-term future with the franchise. If he continues to make a big impact and proves to be a valuable member of the locker room, then it could see the player earn himself an extension.
There is a flip side to this coin. If Carter is forced to settle for a lesser role for whatever reason and doesn’t take it well, Rhule has already proven he is ruthless at moving players on who might be more trouble than their worth.
It is a fine line where Carter is concerned. But his ability is there for all to see.