Why letting Panthers OLB Frankie Luvu leave would be self sabotage

Amid all the doom and gloom, Frankie Luvu emerged as a shining light in 2021 and the Carolina Panthers must increase his importance if re-signed. 

There are some huge decisions awaiting the Carolina Panthers this offseason. But extending outside linebacker Frankie Luvu to prevent him from hitting the free-agent market should be one of the most simple.

Luvu wasted no time in making an immediate impression after signing from the New York Jets, going from a roster bubble player to an important part of the defensive rotation and a key special teams player to further enhance his overall influence.

Not only this, but Luvu’s ability to make big plays when it matters most was exactly what the Panthers needed on a defense that did make some encouraging strides despite getting almost no assistance from the offensive side of the football.

With money tight financially, it remains to be seen whether some prominent roster members will stick around. In Luvu’s case, the contract demands might be more feasible and if the former Washington State star is promised additional responsibilities, then it seems like a no-brainer for all parties.

Luvu recorded one of the team’s highest grades from Pro Football Focus with a phenomenal 84.8. His infectious enthusiasm on almost every down was a sight to behold and it’s evident he has the respect of teammates and fans for good measure.

The energy Luvu brings made a significant difference for a linebacker unit that found life difficult without Luke Kuechly in 2020. Letting the player leave isn’t the smart way to go about roster building and considering what’s at stake for Matt Rhule after team owner David Tepper gave his under-pressure head coach a reprieve, keeping reliable guys like Luvu around is an absolute must.

Carolina Panthers can expect more from Frankie Luvu if re-signed

There’s nothing to suggest Luvu cannot build on the best campaign of his career by a considerable margin. Perhaps introducing him into the starting lineup might bring even more in terms of production.

While other contracts might be somewhat complicated, re-signing Luvu should be pretty straightforward providing there is a mutual interest. It’s also worth remembering that he’ll still be 25 years old by the time competitive action begins again, so the do-it-all defender’s best days are ahead.

Letting Luvu walk for any reason in free agency is self sabotage, pure and simple. It would also be a big indicator of how some members of the locker room see things going with Rhule at the helm.

Luvu is a hard guy to root against and his previous connection to former Panthers legend – the late, great, Kevin Greene – gave him all the momentum he needed to follow in his mentor’s footsteps.

Expect this to be done pretty early, or at least it should be if the primary decision-makers in Carolina had any sense whatsoever.

One thing is for sure, the Panthers would be far worse off without Luvu, who emerged as a surprising contributor who isn’t going to cost the earth. Screwing this up for be nothing short of catastrophe for Carolina and could lead to what little confidence remains in this regime getting personnel moves right evaporate.