5 Carolina Panthers on the hot seat at Saints in Week 18
By Dean Jones
Jeremy Chinn – Carolina Panthers S
Considering the expectations surrounding Jeremy Chinn heading into his third NFL season, it’s been relatively disappointing. The do-it-all defender looks like a supreme difference-maker at times, but consistency is an issue and especially on the backend, where he might not be best suited moving forward.
Chinn’s best production since joining the Carolina Panthers was as an outside linebacker during his rookie campaign. Things haven’t been the same since his transition back to the safety position, with deficiencies in coverage failing to improve effectively enough over the last two years.
The one-time Southern Illinois standout will be heading into the final year of his rookie deal in 2023. While an extension seems almost guaranteed given Chinn’s potential and overall athletic attributes, just how much the Panthers should commit to the player is the big question.
That’s for the likes of general manager Scott Fitterer and cap guru Samir Suleiman to decide. But it would be beneficial for Chinn to conclude the campaign by leaving the most positive impression imaginable at the New Orleans Saints.
Regardless of how Chinn performs in Carolina’s final engagement of the season, those in power should strongly consider switching the former second-round pick back to the linebacking corps and maximize the immense athletic attributes at his disposal.