4 upcoming Panthers free agents who may not be back in 2022
By Dean Jones
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers might have a future problem on their hands with Donte Jackson. His level of production down the stretch in 2020 once he finally came back to full health was eye-catching, to put it mildly. So if the former second-round pick can build on this momentum and become a shutdown cornerback in the process, it’s going to see his asking price go through the roof when the player’s representatives head to the bargaining table.
Financial resources should be more freely available next spring with the cap set to soar once again. The Panthers won’t want a similar situation presenting itself to that which resulted in James Bradberry bolting in free agency for the New York Giants, so it wouldn’t be the biggest shock in the world to see Jackson extended way ahead of time.
However, this might represent a gamble considering the problems with injury Jackson has suffered during his career. The talent is there and the player seems to be getting better with every passing year, so it is a chance worth taking if he shows enough in the early stages of the new campaign.
Carolina can ill-afford to let another important member of the roster leave in his prime. Big things are expected of Jackson in 2021 and if he can reach or even exceed these, then a big payday with the Panthers or elsewhere won’t be far behind.