5 returners the Carolina Panthers must consider in 2022 free agency
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers must consider Jakeem Grant
This seems like a legitimate possibility considering the previous relationship between Jakeem Grant and Chris Tabor. The pair worked together closely on the Chicago Bears in 2021 and it’s clear the coach had an enormous impact on the returner en route to a well-deserved Pro Bowl selection.
Grant was an absolute revelation last season, averaging 13.9 yards per punt return in Chicago and coming up with plenty of memorable highlights that won’t have gone unnoticed by NFL teams up and down the country looking for assistance in this key area.
The Carolina Panthers definitely fit into this particular category and Grant’s connection with Tabor could mean he’d be willing to follow his former coordinator into different surroundings this offseason. Although much will depend on the sort of money the Texas Tech product wants after such an impressive season.
Grant counted $2.3 million against the salary cap last time around and could command even more than this given his production. Something the Panthers might not be able to accommodate with finances at a premium and other positional groups likely to take priority.
With that said, Tabor’s influence might be enough for Carolina to at least make a call to Grant’s representatives. Whether this results in the player committing to the Panthers is another matter entirely.