5 dream free-agent targets for the Carolina Panthers in 2022
By Dean Jones
Tyrann Mathieu – S
It looks like the Carolina Panthers will continue deploying Jeremy Chinn at the safety position in 2022, according to the comments made by general manager Scott Fitterer at the NFL Scouting Combine. This means getting the dynamic defender a prolific partner in the backfield that could further strengthen the secondary should be acquired at some stage.
Of course, this might be cheaper to do during the draft. There should be some real value in the mid-rounds Carolina could take advantage of, but the team might also look for a big fish in free agency to provide an instant spark given how much is at stake next season.
Perhaps the biggest of all is Tyrann Mathieu. The former Super Bowl winner is still performing at an extremely high level, but the Kansas City Chiefs might not have the resources to keep him on the books considering what’s he’s expected to command.
At 29 years old, this might also be Mathieu’s final big contract before giving up the game. Something that will no doubt come into the player’s mind when it’s time for his representatives to begin negotiations.
This would be a major coup by the Panthers, however unlikely it is. Mathieu is projected to command an annual salary of $14.8 million on a three-year, $44.59 million deal according to Spotrac, which puts Carolina out of the running even if they wanted the LSU product.