Can the Panthers keep Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson in 2022?

Could there be a way for the Carolina Panthers to keep both Donte Jackson and Stephon Gilmore around beyond the 2021 season?

Attention will soon turn to what’s going to be another critical offseason for the Carolina Panthers. In truth, most fans have been looking forward to the end of the current campaign for some time given the team’s disastrous run of form following an eye-catching start.

According to reports from Jonathan Jones at CBS Sports and Joe Person of The Athletic recently, the Panthers are going to stand pat with Matt Rhule as head coach despite no real progress being demonstrated in Year 2 of his tenure.

Carolina doesn’t have a Day 2 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft and will be working with just under $30 million in spare salary-cap space, which could increase if some sacrifices and restructures come to pass. Strengthening problem positional groups such as the offensive line is an absolute must, but keeping around productive players currently on the roster is also something to monitor closely this spring.

Two players under the microscope are Donte Jackson and Stephon Gilmore – two talented cornerbacks looking to get paid this offseason. However, it does appear as if it might be difficult to keep both around given the team’s financial constraints.

Gilmore was acquired for a sixth-round pick from the New England Patriots and has hit the ground running since returning from a torn quad.

The All-Pro and former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is a shutdown presence Carolina was lacking since Jaycee Horn went down with a broken foot. Even though he is now playing closer to home, the current state of the Panthers isn’t going to fill the veteran with any confidence.

Carolina Panthers may choose between Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson.

This is likely to be Gilmore’s final big contract before retirement. He might also opt to take his chances elsewhere on a team that is in a better position to challenge for a Super Bowl.

The situation with Jackson is an intriguing one. His production in 2021 was the best of his career by a considerable margin, but yet more injury problems cut the LSU product’s campaign short and much will depend on just how much he’s demanding during negotiations.

Jackson is younger than Gilmore, which is a plus.

But the former second-round pick isn’t nearly as efficient in coverage.

The margin for error is pretty slim where the Panthers are concerned this offseason. If Rhule does keep his job, it’s likely he’ll be on a short leash, and more personnel mistakes won’t be tolerated by owner David Tepper.

Perhaps Gilmore might be willing to take a hometown discount on the premise Carolina can retain other top defensive playmakers such as Jackson and Haason Reddick. However, that is far from a guarantee and could leave those in power with a difficult decision to make.

The prospect of Jackson, Gilmore, and Horn locking down opponents is a mouth-watering one. Keeping both would also allow the Panthers to focus their recruitment on improving protection and coming up with a better solution to an embarrassing revolving door at quarterback.

An outstanding defense has been the Panthers’ strength this season despite the offensive side of things being a complete abomination. If Jackson and Gilmore agree to stay, things could get even better within this area of the field in 2022.