4 role players the Carolina Panthers should consider extending
By Dean Jones
Which role players on the Carolina Panthers should the team consider extending in the not-too-distant future?
Every successful NFL team needs strong role players to complement its stars. The Carolina Panthers will be counting on roster members that fall into this category making their presence felt in pursuit of making some big strides in the second year of Matt Rhule’s tenure as head coach.
The Panthers were expected to be busy once again this offseason after finishing with a 5-11 record once again. They did not disappoint.
It was another eventful few months of player movement on the trade market, in free agency, and during the 2021 NFL Draft despite a reduced salary cap making things incredibly difficult.
Just what we can expect from the Panthers next time around is unclear at this juncture.
At least from the outside looking in, there are plenty of reasons to be encouraged. But much obviously comes down to whether quarterback Sam Darnold can provide them with better consistency under center following his trade from the New York Jets.
If some Panthers players on the rotation can make a lasting contribution in 2021, then it might be enough for them to earn a longer-term commitment next year or even sooner.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at four role players who Carolina might consider extending in the months ahead.