The Carolina Panthers will be without Jaelan Phillips in Week 7, and that might be exactly the opportunity Patrick Jones II needs to save his future with the team.
With Phillips sidelined and the Panthers already dealing with injuries along the defensive front, Jones has a chance to remind the organization why it signed him in the first place.
When the Carolina Panthers handed Patrick Jones II a two year deal worth $15 million including $10.25 million guaranteed in 2024, it looked like a steal to many (myself included).
Patrick Jones III must show Carolina Panthers why he's worth keeping around
Unfortunately, his time in Carolina hasn't gone nearly as planned.
Of course, injuries have played a major role in his struggles, and Jones hasn't had the same opportunities he enjoyed during his breakout season in Minnesota.
Still, Carolina is paying him to help generate pressure, and the production simply hasn't been there. That's what makes Phillips' injury so important for Jones.
With the Panthers potentially needing him to handle a larger workload against Tampa Bay, Jones finally has an opportunity to show whether his seven-sack season was something he can replicate.
And considering his contract situation, he couldn't have asked for a much better chance.
The Panthers' outside linebacker situation is getting thin at a pretty unfortunate time.
Phillips is out. Thomas Incoom is as well. He’s expected to miss time with a calf injury, while second-year pass rusher Nic Scourton has already been ruled out for the season after suffering a knee injury during training camp.
That leaves Jones, rookie Princely Umanmielen, and Gipson as Carolina's primary options on the edge. Canales also mentioned practice squad linebacker Nick Hampton as someone who could contribute against Tampa Bay.
Patrick Jones II is the primary option by default, and he must deliver
For Jones, this could be his best opportunity yet to establish himself as a dependable piece of the Panthers' defense. And the Buccaneers matchup is a pretty good test.
Carolina needs Jones to take advantage of whatever opportunities come his way, particularly with Phillips potentially missing next Thursday's matchup against the Green Bay Packers as well.
The Panthers already made a major financial commitment to their pass rush by signing Phillips, and they'll have some decisions to make about the rest of that position group next offseason.
Jones is 28 years old and has already shown he can produce at the NFL level. But his Panthers tenure has been defined more by injuries than by anything he's accomplished on the field.
A strong performance over the next couple of weeks won't erase those struggles, but it could give Carolina a reason to consider keeping him around.
And if Jones wants another contract with the Panthers, now would be a pretty good time to start earning one.
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