4 upcoming Panthers free agents who may not be back in 2022

Robby Anderson – Carolina Panthers WR

Signing Robby Anderson in free agency last year couldn’t have gone much better for the Carolina Panthers.

The wide receiver hit the ground running in no uncertain terms on his way to a 1,000-yard season for the first time in his career. But whether he can reach these heights once again with more attention coming his way is the burning question that only the player can answer.

There is a lot riding on the 2021 campaign for Anderson, which is the last one on the two-year deal he signed last spring that included $20 million fully guaranteed. The Panthers brought in Terrace Marshall Jr. and Shi Smith during the NFL Draft to further boost their options at wide receiver, so the pressure will be on the veteran to get the job done and earn himself a substantial payday in the process.

If Anderson can prove he isn’t just a flash in the pan, there will be more than a few teams looking in his direction if the player is allowed to test the free-agent market next year. Carolina had to make a choice between Curtis Samuel and Taylor Moton – which wasn’t that difficult – and if the same happens between the wideout and cornerback Donte Jackson, preference would be for the latter.

As stated previously, much will depend on the money Carolina can free up. Anderson will be a hot commodity with another strong campaign and might even price himself out of an extended stay with his former college coach Matt Rhule.