The Carolina Panthers’ salary cap picture is a bit of a mess right now, much like the roster.
As of this moment, Over the Cap says the team has just $3,255,202 in salary cap space left. Only three teams have less room to work with. Dead money is also a major issue. Carolina is carrying a ton of dead weight in 2020: a total of $36,359,260.
The Panthers could still shuffle some money around, but there’s just not enough to make any real impact signings should the need arise during the season, to say nothing of acquiring another respectable starting cornerback before it begins.
It’s tough to swallow but fans have to remember this is the beginning of a long-term rebuild and it’s going to take some time. However, things should get a bit easier in 2021.
According to an estimate by Jason Fitzgerald at OTC, the team is going to have $47,323,388 in salary cap room next year. They could free up a lot more money by making some cuts, too. He projects their max cap space with cuts to be $90,306,888.
Some of the best players who will become free agents in 2021 include Joey Bosa, Jalen Ramsey, Keenan Allen, George Kittle and Chris Jones. Picking up a star at a key position next year would help the next phase of Matt Rhule’s rebuilding project.
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