6 Carolina Panthers players who earned themselves contracts for 2022

Frankie Luvu – Carolina Panthers OLB

A third player who was signed and exceeded expectations with the Carolina Panthers in 2021 was linebacker Frankie Luvu. After spending the first three seasons of his career with the New York Jets, he joined the organization on a very team-friendly contract shortly after free agency opened.

All Luvu did was establish himself as the team’s top reserve linebacker, and set career-highs in tackles and fumble recoveries en route to becoming a reliable backup option at a position where the Panthers were extremely thin.

Luvu ranked ninth on the team in total tackles, despite playing less than a quarter of the defense’s snaps. He also proved himself to be a valuable special-teamer.

With two of Carolina’s three starting linebackers set to hit the open market in March, the Panthers can’t afford to see its next best leave as well. There has been speculation linking Jeremy Chinn back to linebacker on a more permanent basis, but it would benefit the team to retain what little depth it has at the position.

The Panthers could still likely bring Luvu back on a relatively-cheap deal for 2022 and potentially beyond, but it’s no secret that they need to address the linebacking corps. as a whole. Matt Rhule has yet to find a long-term replacement for Luke Kuechly, and it remains to be seen whether or not Jermaine Carter will be back to man the middle.

Luvu is better served as an outside linebacker. But Shaq Thompson has proved in the past he can play inside if need be.

Luvu is one of Rhule’s few free-agent signings that have become fan-favorites, so it’s important that the now third-year head coach doesn’t mess it up. Regardless, he needs to create more depth on the defense, and re-signing a key contributor in Luvu would be a fantastic way to accomplish that.