6 Carolina Panthers players who earned themselves contracts for 2022

Haason Reddick – Carolina Panthers OLB

Aside from maybe the Robby Anderson signing last year, the addition of Haason Reddick has without a doubt been the Carolina Panthers’ best free-agency move during the Matt Rhule era. Now a free agent one year later, the asking price will undoubtedly go up for the star pass-rusher.

During his first season in Carolina, Reddick led the team in sacks with 11, rejuvenating a pass rush that was nonexistent in recent years. Over his past two seasons, he has recorded 23.5 sacks in total, and 27 tackles for loss.

Signed for one year and $8 million in March, the former Temple star was perhaps the biggest bargain of the season for the Panthers. To bring him back in 2022, though, it’ll likely take a significantly more enticing contract.

Fortunately for the Panthers, Reddick has made it clear that he is open to returning to Carolina despite the team’s struggles in 2021. However, the 27-year-old also seemed to suggest that he plans to test the open market this spring.

Reddick will in all likelihood demand multiple years and a healthy pay increase.

According to Spotrac, his expected market value could net him a five-year, $77 million contract. That’s a steep price to pay, but the Panthers have to do what they can to bring him back.

The defense is the strong point of this current Panthers team. If they hope to improve in 2022, that unit will once again need to be among the league’s best.

Their odds of doing that will increase if Reddick is on the roster.

Reddick was one of Carolina’s best players on the field this past season. If Matt Rhule and Scott Fitterer could get a deal done for Anderson, then surely they can get agree to an extension with the former first-round pick.