4 offseason moves already proving costly for the Panthers in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers let Haason Reddick walk
After notching 11 sacks for the Carolina Panthers in 2021, it was clear Haason Reddick had a big contract coming his way. This left the organization with a difficult decision, opting not to match the offer he received from the Philadelphia Eagles within hours of the legal tampering period getting underway.
Influential figures within the Panthers felt confident in the likes of Marquis Haynes and Yetur Gross-Matos picking up the slack. While the former has once again shone from a rotational role, the same cannot be said of the latter with increased responsibilities on his shoulders.
Carolina’s defense has impressed this season. But they are getting absolutely no help from the offensive side of the football and Phil Snow’s unit is on the field for far too long to sustain any momentum generated early in games.
With that being said, Gross-Matos has to do better. The Panthers spent the No. 38 overall selection on the defensive end in 2020, but he’s doing little to justify such a high-end pick through the opening month of competitive action.
Reddick is thriving as expected on an Eagles team that looks primed for a deep postseason run. Consistent pass-rushers around the NFL don’t grow on trees, so for Carolina to let the Temple product walk was inexcusable at the time and even more so now.