Panthers Re-Sign Core Special Teamer To New Contract

Sam Franklin, Carolina Panthers, Agree to Contract

Sam Franklin spent most of the 2023 season on special teams but had a four-game stint of starts as the Panthers navigated injuries in the secondary. He made his impact known immediately, returning an interception 99 yards for a touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings.

Overall, his time on defense was hit or miss. While starting with an exciting pick-six, he had few splash plays over the remainder of his starts. He recorded only one pass breakup but gave up minimal yardage when targeted, allowing seven catches and 67 yards. Unfortunately, two of those catches resulted in touchdowns.

Franklin signed with the Panthers in 2020 as an undrafted free agent out of Temple. If that college rings a bell, it should. Franklin was identified as one of several players that former head coach Matt Rhule signed from his college days.

Despite that connection, Franklin started his NFL career exclusively on special teams. He was a kick and punt team staple, until Week 7 of his rookie season when he got his first start on defense. That began a four-game stretch at the free safety position. During that time, he performed fairly well, allowing just 62 yards and two touchdowns. Notably, 59 of those yards and both touchdowns came against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Franklin’s special team skills kept him on the roster, as he continued a similar role into 2021. While maintaining a prominent role on kickoffs and punts, he had no defensive starts in his second season.

In fact, Franklin’s next start did not come until Week 12 of the 2022 season. During that game, he held receivers targeted his direction to just three yards and recorded one hurry on the quarterback.

Overall, Franklin is a special teams specialist who can make splash defensive plays on occasion.

Main Photo: Bob Donnan – USA Today Sports