5 bargain-basement free agents the Panthers must consider in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers must consider Ryan Kerrigan
It appears as if the Carolina Panthers are going to let Haason Reddick test the free-agent market, which could be a big mistake. The outside linebacker has 23.5 sacks over the last two seasons and might get an offer that the team cannot afford to match.
Losing Reddick would be a major blow to the Panthers. While there remains hope Yetur Gross-Matos can make the necessary leap in Year 3, it might be worth the decision-makers looking to free agency and picking up a veteran with proven production as a short-term fix.
Ryan Kerrigan’s powers might be on the decline and he was used sparingly with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2021. But this could be a band-aid solution in the event Reddick does take his chances elsewhere.
The former first-round pick is a four-time Pro Bowler that’s accumulated 95.5 sacks throughout his 11-year career so far. Kerrigan is probably looking for a big role rather than financial security at this stage and if Reddick does depart, then this is something the Panthers could provide.
This probably comes down to the desire factor for Kerrigan. If the Purdue product thinks he still has something left in the tank, then his presence ad leadership would be a real asset to Carolina considering what’s at stake in 2022.