The Carolina Panthers have one of the fewest number of players set to be free agents in 2022. The biggest issue for the Panthers remains at quarterback. With one of the better cap situations in the NFL, Carolina should be able to maneuver quite well in free agency, but nothing matters if they can’t figure out what to do at the game’s most important position.
Carolina Panthers free agents in 2022
Following the conclusion of the 2021-22 NFL season, the Panthers have 19 players with expiring contracts. 18 of them will be unrestricted free agents and one is a restricted free agent.
All players are unrestricted free agents unless stated
- Stephon Gilmore | CB
- Matt Paradis | C
- Cam Newton | QB
- Haason Reddick | LB
- DaQuan Jones | DT
- Juston Burris | S
- Trent Scott | G
- J.J. Jansen | LS
- Donte Jackson | CB
- John Miller | G
- Julian Stanford | LB
- Rashaan Melvin | CB
- Alex Erickson | WR
- Brandon Zylstra | WR
- Sean Chandler | S
- Ian Thomas | TE
- Marquis Haynes Sr. | DE
- Jermaine Carter Jr. | LB
- Mike Panasiuk | DT (ERFA)
Top Panthers offensive free agents
The Panthers don’t really have any crucial offensive free agents outside of their starting center. Let’s take a look at the most prominent free agents on offense.
Matt Paradis | C
The Panthers’ most expensive offensive free agent is Matt Paradis. Paradis made just under $10 million last season and started nine games for the Panthers before tearing his ACL.
Paradis is considered an average or slightly above average center. Given his cap hit, it’s possible, if not likely, that the Panthers don’t re-sign him. However, the injury complicates things and increases the odds he stays with the team.
Cam Newton | QB
The Panthers are currently paying a lot of money for not a lot at quarterback. Carolina has Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker under contract for 2022 after picking up the former’s fifth-year option last offseason and signing the latter to a one-year deal for 2022.
Cam Newton made $6 million in 2021 after joining the Panthers midseason following Darnold’s injury. After joining the team, he reminded everyone why the Patriots cut him in favor of Mac Jones last preseason. Newton just has very little left to offer. Perhaps he can find a job somewhere as a backup, but I would be surprised if he returned to Carolina.
Top Panthers defensive free agents
The Panthers’ defensive players hitting free agency are far more important to re-sign than their offensive players. This is a unit that needs to retain its talented players.
Stephon Gilmore, Donte Jackson, and Rashaan Melvin | CB
Stephon Gilmore is obviously the most important player here. He made $13 million in 2021 and has been a Pro Bowler for four straight seasons. According to Spotrac, the Panthers have $13.5 million in salary-cap space. They can afford to make Gilmore a multi-year offer and absolutely should do it.
Donte Jackson is just 26 years old and has been a reliable piece of the Panthers’ secondary. He has plenty of room to improve and should only get better as he enters his prime. The Panthers would do well to lock him up for multiple years.
Rashaan Melvin came over on a one-year deal from Jacksonville last season. At 32 years old, he’s one of the oldest defensive players on the Panthers’ roster. If Carolina can retain Gilmore and Jackson, Melvin would be nothing more than their CB4 with Jaycee Horn returning from injury. He’s worth bringing back if the price is right, but far from a necessity.
Haason Reddick | LB
Haason Reddick didn’t make the Pro Bowl in 2021, and I’m not quite sure how. He recorded 11 sacks and 18 QB hits in 16 games played.
Reddick made $6 million in 2021 and is just 27 years old. The Panthers should absolutely make him a multi-year offer. If they can’t agree to terms, Reddick will have no shortage of options in free agency.