What exactly do the Carolina Panthers have at DE in 2021?
By Dean Jones
Haason Reddick – Carolina Panthers DE
The Carolina Panthers did a lot of shrewd business with limited financial resources available this offseason. A shrinking salary cap due to COVID-19 revenue losses made things difficult for almost every franchise throughout the spring, so the front office deserves a tremendous amount of credit for getting the right pieces in place in pursuit of progression.
Perhaps the most notable arrival in free agency was Haason Reddick.
The physical edge rusher enjoyed a career campaign for the Arizona Cardinals in 2020. Linking up with former college coach Matt Rhule in the professional ranks could be just what the player needs to take his game to even greater heights.
Reddick signed a one-year deal with the Panthers. If he builds on a 12.5-sack season last time out, then expect the 2017 first-round pick to earn a bumper payday either in Carolina or elsewhere next year.
Putting Reddick opposite Brian Burns gives Carolina a dynamic duo to call upon. There is a chance that his numbers in 2020 were a flash in the pan, but the potential for further improvement with more talent around him cannot be ignored.
There is a lot of responsibility coming in Reddick’s direction next season. This is a challenge he is sure to relish and similar production to what we saw from the player last time around will make him a very rich man indeed.