5 Panthers who’ll benefit most from major 2022 offseason changes
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers S
It was another season of outstanding production from Jeremy Chinn, who is one of the league’s most dynamic young defenders and was unfortunate not to earn anything more than a Pro Bowl alternate selection in 2021.
Chinn returned to the position where he starred at Southern Illinois with minimal fuss. His influence didn’t decrease at safety and the Carolina Panthers gave him plenty of freedom to be instinctive – a role in which he obviously thrives.
What transpired alongside Chinn was less stellar. There was no real consistency due to injuries and poor production, which the Panthers hopefully rectified by signing Xavier Woods from the Minnesota Vikings in free agency.
This represents a big-time upgrade on anything Carolina churned out alongside Chinn last season. If the pair hit it off as expected, then this has the makings of an extremely exciting tandem.
Carolina will be counting on Chinn more than ever next time around. If Woods can provide a stable presence next to the former second-round pick on the backend, then it could be a mutually beneficial arrangement for all parties.
As for Chinn, more of the same in 2022 would likely see the Panthers hand the player a bumper new extension to keep him in Carolina for the foreseeable future.