5 Panthers players facing a make-or-break offseason in 2021
By Dean Jones
Marquis Haynes – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB
Marquis Haynes has given the Carolina Panthers some solid production over the last two seasons. However, it doesn’t appear as if the coaching staff is going to throw him into a starting position anytime soon given their acquisitions during free agency.
The signings of Morgan Fox and Haason Reddick, coupled with the return of Christian Miller into the fold mean Haynes faces a real fight for playing time in the coming weeks. There is nothing to suggest the player can’t make additional strides after an encouraging 2020 campaign that brought four sacks, but some extra competition is breathing down his neck that should make for fascinating viewing both at OTAs and training camp.
It would be a surprise if Haynes didn’t make the 53-man roster, to put it mildly. But the former Ole Miss star is entering his fourth season – the last of his rookie deal – so this is the time of a player’s career where they need to start making more of a splash.
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Haynes has had some really nice moments and was one of the few pass-rushers in Carolina generating pressure early in the campaign. Players either rise to the occasion or wilt under the pressure in situations like this, so the Panthers will be hoping the 2018 fourth-round selection falls into the latter ahead of a big offseason.