Observer exclusive: Panthers’ Jeremy Chinn on Year 3, his desire to win and giving back
When Carolina Panthers safety Jeremy Chinn is asked about his individual goals for the 2022 season and how he hopes to grow, his answer is simple and is less about what he actually wants to do individually.
No, what Chinn is concerned about is “winning football games,” he told The Charlotte Observer in a brief interview in between OTA workouts and meetings.
“I know that’s probably the most annoying answer that you could possibly get, but I think about it every day,” Chinn said. “Getting this team to a place to win football games, win football games late in the season.
“That’s what I think about when I wake up.”
Since Chinn was drafted in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft, he has been one of the Panthers best defensive players. He finished second in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting in 2020. And in 2021, he posted his second consecutive 100-plus tackle season.
But in those first two seasons, the Panthers have gone 10-23. They haven’t had a winning record or been close to the playoffs. Last season, they ended the year on a seven-game losing streak.
“Absolutely,” Chinn said, when asked did last season leave a bad taste in his mouth. “Because the season ended early. The ultimate goal is to be the last team standing. So I feel like if you’re not that, you should be disappointed. That’s the standard and that’s the goal we want to reach.”
While Chinn was drafted as a safety, he primarily played linebacker during his first season with the Panthers. But in an effort to further preserve his body, and to fill a much needed hole, the coaching staff made the decision to move him to his natural position at safety.
Chinn said the transition was smooth. And the numbers showed. He posted nearly identical numbers in 2021 as he did in 2020, with 107 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.
He said while he didn’t have the same splash plays he had as a linebacker, he felt he made a positive impact at safety.
However, if the Panthers are going to turn their losses into wins in 2022, and they have the roster to do so if they stay healthy, it will be incumbent upon players like Chinn and Brian Burns to have a bigger impact.
“He’s made some great interceptions over the last couple of years, but just being someone who is consistently productive on the ball, I think is really important for him,” Panthers coach Matt Rhule said. “I think Steve (Wilks) has done a great job of really working with the safeties on being a little bit more quarterback visual and hoping we can up our turnover percentage on defense.
“Chinn is a guy we’re counting on to do that.”
While the Panthers defense finished second in the NFL in fewest yards allowed per game, they had only 18 takeaways, which ranked 25th out of 32 NFL teams. Of those 18 takeaways, nine were interceptions.
Rhule hired Wilks, a longtime veteran coach and former head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, to coach the secondary in February.
Wilks called Chinn a “great football player” and said the defense will try to use him in different roles this season.
“Extremely smart, physical, tough. Can play anywhere on the field,” Wilks said. “As a coach, you know I’d love to have him exactly where he is, which is safety.
“We can put him down in the box. He can play the Buffalo Nickel. He can play linebacker. We’re not going to be selfish and just limit him to one position. We’re going to put him where we need to, to win football games.”
Chinn said he’s looking forward to that and competing with this team, which he says is much stronger than the previous two years. He’s also coming into his own as a player and person. He’s hosting a youth camp in his hometown in Fishers, Indiana, on June 25 to give back to his community.
“I feel like I’m in a position to give back for the kids,” he said. “It’s a full-circle moment for me.”
Though he often tries to circle back to the team when asked about his individual success, Chinn is aware that he’s often not recognized around the NFL for his success.
In college, few FBS colleges offered him scholarships. At the draft, four safeties were drafted ahead of him.
During his rookie season, he finished runner-up to Chase Young in the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.
Some voters, who spoke to The Observer in 2020, felt Chinn was underrated and should have had more votes. Although Chinn said he doesn’t often think about that, he’s still set on proving people wrong.
“I know people probably don’t see me how I see myself, but that’s OK. Right now.” Chinn said. “But they’ll feel me.”
