Panthers LB Frankie Luvu opens up about potential free agency

Frankie Luvu has established himself as a key member of the Panthers’ defense, showcasing a notable degree of versatility. 2023 marks the end of his current contract, but a new one does not appear to be in the works.

The 27-year-old signed a two-year, $9M deal in 2022 to keep him in Carolina. That has proven to be a highly effective investment for the Panthers, given Luvu’s increased workload since that time. The team made it clear a diverse role would be in store for him, and a significant uptick in production has come about as a result.

Luvu eclipsed 100 tackles for the first time in his career last season, and comfortably set a new career high in sacks with seven. The former Jets UDFA has had another strong campaign this year with 51 stops and 3.5 sacks. Luvu is PFF’s highest-rated middle linebacker in terms of pass rush grade, demonstrating his disruptive ability when lined up as an edge rusher. He is thus in line for a significant raise on his next deal, but, in an interview with Joe Person of The Athletic, Luvu indicated no talks on an extension have taken place yet.

The Panthers will need to sort out their situation with sack leader Brian Burns in the coming months. The two-time Pro Bowler is set to see his rookie deal expire this offseason, and Carolina again rebuffed outside interest in a trade this past week. A franchise tag or long-term agreement will eat up much of Carolina’s available funds in 2024. The team is currently projected to sit mid-pack in terms of cap space for next year. A new deal for Luvu will also require a raise, but he is looking to remain in place beyond 2023.

“You know the part about the business,” Luvu told Person. “I might be here, I might be somewhere else. But I would love to be here in Charlotte…I love the environment. I love the culture. I love these coaches. But that’s the hard part about the business. I can’t control where I – if I – become a free agent, then I start having the control. But right now, I’m just gonna be where I’m at today, be where my feet are.”

With pass rushers Yetur Gross-Matos and Justin Houston on IR, Carolina could turn to Luvu on the edge more than as a middle linebacker down the stretch this season. However he is deployed, though, a continuation of his production through the first seven games will set him well in free agency for another Panthers re-up or a deal sending him elsewhere.