4 Carolina Panthers players who cannot afford to regress in 2021

Haason Reddick – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB

After a breakout season with the Arizona Cardinals in 2020, Haason Reddick gets the chance to prove he is no flash in the pan by taking his game to new heights with the Carolina Panthers. Getting 12.5 sacks once again is a difficult proposition to achieve, of that there is little doubt. But a reunion with his former college coach Matt Rhule has the potential to have a substantial impact on the team’s short-term aspirations.

Reddick was lauded by Rhule prior to being taken in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He may not have lived up to expectations before last year, but there is every chance his increased production could be a springboard to bigger and better things in the coming seasons.

Carolina gave Reddick a one-year deal to prove he can be a consistent edge rusher worth big money. There should be plenty of room to work in with stud defensive end Brian Burns on the other side of the field, so another double-digit sack campaign would surely result in a bumper commitment long-term either with the Panthers or elsewhere in 2022.

This was a low-risk, high reward pickup by Carolina and one that could put an end to their inability to create havoc in opposing backfields we saw at stages last season.

If it doesn’t work out as all parties expect, then the Panthers can move on with minimal damage to their salary cap. Either way, Reddick won’t be getting the money he wants if his performances and numbers take a dive in a different environment.