Playoffs Have Already Exposed a Massive Panthers Mistake

The Carolina Panthers were one of the 18 teams going into Wild Card weekend that were sitting at home. The Panthers missed the playoffs for the seventh straight season but made some strides under Dave Canales.

They still have work to do but there was a former Panther who showed out in the Wild Card Round and that was Jeremy Chinn.

Chinn is on the Washington Commanders and played tremendously in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Jeremy Chinn Showed Out in the Wild Card Round

Chinn led the team in total tackles with eight in the win over the Bucs. The 26-year-old signed a one-year, $4.1 million deal with the Commanders in free agency after spending four seasons in Carolina. The Panthers decided to let him walk and didn't bring him back.

During his tenure with the Panthers, he never found a consistent role. He lined up at linebacker, strong safety, and free safety. Playing in multiple spots never gave Chinn the ability to hone in on one position.

Since landing with the Commanders, the 2020 second-round pick finished with 117 total tackles, seven TFLs, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble in 2024. The numbers earned him a 69 overall grade per PFF, his highest grade since 2021.

In the win over the Bucs, Chinn finished with a 74.9 overall grade. One thing that's been different in Washington, Chinn played 94% of his snaps at safety (1,021 total snaps).

He's been a menace for the Commanders, showcasing the Panthers didn't utilize him in the best way. Watching him dominate during the playoffs must have been tough to watch but Carolina only has themselves to blame. They are the ones who brought into the league but didn't put him in the best positions to succeed.

Chinn found that with the Commanders and is playing some of the best football of his pro career. In the Divisional Round against the Lions, he'll get another chance to fly around and show the Panthers what they are missing.

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