5 defensive ends the Carolina Panthers should target in 2022 free agency

Carolina Panthers should consider re-signing Haason Reddick

• 2021 salary – $6 million
• Spotrac protected contract – 5 yrs, $76.8M, annual salary $15.3M

I’m going to cheat a little here. Although Haason Reddick is technically listed as an outside linebacker he did start most of 2021 on the edge for the Carolina Panthers.

Reddick turned into one of the bargain signings of 2021. The former Temple man was signed on a one-year, prove-it deal worth $6 million deal after leaving the Arizona Cardinals and it didn’t take long to figure out Carolina had a serious player on their hands.

The edge defender certainly proved his worth finishing as the Panthers sack leader and showing the league he is one of the premier pass rushers around. Reddick will now expect to be paid in 2022, and despite saying he’d like to return to Carolina, the Panthers’ precarious cap situation may prevent this.

With Carolina only having around $15 million in cap space available and other needs such as offensive line, cornerback, and maybe quarterback on the agenda, spending so much on Reddick may not be a move the front office wants to make.

However, Reddick is someone the Panthers must prioritize bringing back in 2022. If Scott Fitterer and his front office can work some magic and restructure some deals, it gives the Panthers more cap room and they must target try and work out some sort of extension.

There’s also the hope that Reddick may take a discount in order to work with his former college coach Matt Rhule.