‘The time to lock him down is now’ – ESPN makes strong statement about under-the-radar Carolina Panthers player
The Carolina Panthers need a big offseason to take the next step in the NFC.
ESPN’s David Newton named an under-the-radar player as a top priority for the Carolina Panthers this offseason.
Newton suggested on Wednesday that the “time is now” to lock down wide receiver Jalen Coker.
Coker, an undrafted free agent out of Holy Cross, just wrapped up his second season with the Panthers.
“You might think it’s running back Rico Dowdle, who led the Panthers in rushing with 1,076 yards,” wrote Newton of the Panthers’ offseason re-signing decisions. “But with Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks under contract and Dowdle’s salary demand likely high, re-signing the former South Carolina star seems unlikely. That makes exclusive rights free agent Coker a priority to get signed to a long-term deal. Carolina can simply retain him with a one-year league-minimum tender, but since coach Dave Canales has already said Coker, a 2024 undrafted player out of Holy Cross, will enter the offseason as the No. 2 receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan, the time to lock him down is now.”
Jalen Coker boosted his stock with a huge game against the Los Angeles Rams in the playoffs
Coker has been modestly productive over his first two seasons in Carolina, catching 65 passes for 872 yards and five touchdowns in 22 games.
The Virginia native, however, had a massive game against the Los Angeles Rams in the wild card round of the playoffs earlier this month.
Coker caught nine passes for 134 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers’ 34-31 loss to the Rams — a huge game on the biggest stage he’s ever played on.
Carolina would probably be wise to work out a short-term extension with Coker — even though, as ESPN noted, the Panthers could retain him with a one-year league-minimum tender.
If Coker is going to serve as the Panthers’ No. 2 wide receiver in 2026, then Carolina should make a stronger commitment than slapping the league-minimum tender on him.