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The moves on the offensive side of the football this off-season have garnered the most attention for the Panthers this off-season, and rightfully so, trading up to the #1 pick to draft Bryce Young, hiring Frank Reich, Josh McCown, and Thomas Brown, among other moves. But the reason to be optimistic about the Panthers’ hopes of competing in 2023, is on the defensive side of the ball, where the hire of Ejero Evero, is poised to take the defense from good to great. One of the many players expected to benefit from the Evero hire is safety Jeremy Chinn, who is looking to recapture his big-play skills from his rookie season, where he finished second in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
After not having a consistent role the last two seasons, Chinn is eager to put an end to all the questions about where he best fits on a football field, as he told Wes & Walker earlier today on WFNZ “I feel like I was further away from the action, really didn’t make those explosive plays I did my rookie season. I’m here to answer any questions anybody has about me”. The questions around Chinn aren’t directly related to him, but more about how will be used, and whether will he be put in the best position possible to make the type of plays he’s capable of making. Chinn made it known that he’s practicing closer to the line of scrimmage, where he will provide a pass rush opposite Brian Burns, which this team is in desperate need of. He also has a knack for batting the football up in the air, which will create even more opportunities for turnovers, which will help elevate the defense from good to great and possibly make the Panthers a playoff team in the NFC.
There’s no denying that Chinn is very much aware of the negative comments that have been made been made bout him, and the lack of production since his rookie season. With a revamped defensive coaching staff, combined with the addition of veteran Vonn Bell, Chinn is primed to find a consistent role for the first time in a couple of years, making it all the more likely, he bounces back in a big way in 2023, which could mean big things for the defense, and the Panthers as a whole this season.
You can catch the Wes & Walker Show every weekday from 12-3 PM, on Sports Radio 92.7 WFNZ, and the WFNZ app.
