Panthers' Defense Takes Another Blow With Latest Free Agency Loss

The Carolina Panthers have seen a couple of defensive playmakers from this past season take their talents elsewhere. For starters, veteran linebacker Frankie Luvu signed a three-year deal with the Washington Commanders on Monday. 

Then the Panthers shockingly traded star pass rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants for draft capital. Those are two significant losses from a defense that wasn’t exactly loaded with talent.

If the losses of Luvu and Burns weren’t bad enough, the Panthers saw a key member of their secondary join a brand new team on Tuesday.

Panthers Rumors: Jeremy Chinn Joins Frankie Luvu in Washington

Jordan Schultz of the Bleacher Report reported that star safety Jeremy Chinn plans to sign a one-year contract deal up to $5.1 million with the Commanders. 

The former second-round pick had a stellar four-year career with Carolina, recording 17 pass deflections, 12 tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns. 

The 26-year-old Chinn can play both safety spots and linebacker. In his final season with the Panthers, the former Southern Illinois standout produced 30 combined tackles, two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, and a sack. 

The 6-foot-3 defensive back wasn’t considered a fit in Evero’s defense. But he might be able to do some cool things with head coach Dan Quinn. Chinn had a run-defense grade of 52 and a 57.2 coverage grade with no pressure.

With Chinn off to Washington, the Panthers must address the safety spot in free agency or the 2024 NFL Draft.

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