Jeremy Chinn outlines desire to improve one area in 2022

Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn has outlined one area where he wants to improve during the 2022 season. 

It’s been a tremendous start to life in the NFL for Jeremy Chinn. The Carolina Panthers made a tremendous move up to No. 64 overall in the 2020 draft to acquire the Southern Illinois product, which was swiftly followed by two campaigns of exceptional production and the threat of more to come entering his prime years.

Every team needs a player like Chinn. A dynamic force with rare instincts that can influence proceedings all over the field when utilized correctly.

He led all rookies in tackles as an outside linebacker in Year 1 of his professional career. Chinn followed this up by leading the Panthers in the same category despite switching back to his college position of safety.

For all the doubts surrounding Carolina next season, they can relax safe in the knowledge that Chinn will be consistent. Another strong season from the player next time around could also force the Panthers into early contract negotiations with one year remaining on his deal.

Chinn is not one to stand still. He is always looking to get better, is emerging as a supreme leader within the locker room, and has rapidly become beloved by the team’s fanbase for good measure.

Jeremy Chinn keen to gain more takeaways for the Carolina Panthers in 2022

During a recent interview with Ken LaVicka on ESPN 106.3, Chinn outlined the one area where he’d like to progress to take his game to completely new heights and help the Panthers finally start trending on an upward curve.

"“My focus is taking the football away. I need to get the ball more in my hands, that’s the main goal right now. I think it will help not only myself but the team and the defense as a whole. When you look at turnover margins, takeaways turn into wins, so that’s the big goal.”"

Chinn has three forced fumbles and two interceptions throughout his career so far. He also historically scored defensive touchdowns on back-to-back plays in 2020 during an inexplicable loss at the Minnesota Vikings.

If he can raise this particular area of production next season, it’s another major positive for the Panthers in pursuit of finally gaining some semblance of respectability.

The do-it-all defender was also asked about the recent trade for quarterback Baker Mayfield, which Chinn found out about on Twitter like the rest of us. He was keen to state that focusing on matters outside of his control is not normally in his mindset, but he’s looking forward to seeing the Oklahoma product and Sam Darnold battle it out in training camp.

"“I try not to pay attention to all the rumors and stuff like that. I have zero control over what happens, but he’s here now and I am excited to see Sam and Baker compete.”"

Chinn will be doing his best to make both quarterbacks look bad in practice within a secondary that looks capable of great things working under Steve Wilks. He is already an indispensable member of the team’s plans moving forward and if further strides are made, then a first Pro Bowl selection is a realistic target in 2022.