Carolina Panthers: What next after maxing out salary cap on Eli Apple?

What comes next for the Carolina Panthers after they maxed out their salary cap with the signing of cornerback Eli Apple?

The terms behind Eli Apple’s agreement with the Carolina Panthers have been revealed. And as it turns out, it took the majority of their remaining salary cap space to acquire the cornerback’s services.

According to Ian Rappaport of NFL Network, Apple signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. The former New Orleans Saint also received a $750,000 signing bonus.

Given the player reportedly accepted an offer of $6 million a year with the Las Vegas Raiders earlier this offseason before the move hit a late snag. It represents a bargain for the Panthers and one that Apple has the potential to outplay if he can turn around his fortunes.

The player was prudent to take this sort of financial commitment at this particular stage of free agency. The move also comes with a realistic option to start that he might not have got elsewhere.

It does present the Panthers with a problem financially going forward. They now have just over $255,000 in cap space remaining following Apple’s signature. This represents a significant dilemma for a team that has only signed one of their Draft class so far.

General manager Marty Hurney has plenty more tough decisions to make before competitive action gets back underway. A substantial amount needs to be freed up. And this could see even more veterans on the chopping block.

While Apple was a necessary evil for a secondary that was devoid of any real depth. It might have bigger implications on the Panthers’ roster going forward. The organization isn’t blessed with many players that could give them some breathing space, which is thanks in no small part to their dead cap figure which stands at $48.11 million.

Where can the Carolina Panthers make savings?

Making cuts is standard procedure across the NFL. But given their predicament from a salary cap perspective. It appears to be an absolute necessity.

The six unsigned draft selections determine this. And there is even the possibility of the Panthers wanting to bring in more veteran help to provide competition during training camp.

When one looks across the Panthers’ roster, it is hard to see where any more savings can be made. Most of the higher earners have moved on to pastures new. So the franchise would have to look at multiple player departures to free up the necessary funds to do what is required before the season begins.

Bringing in a player like Apple was a smart move by the organization. But there is no denying the complications it brings. The Panthers were always going to make more cuts with $3.25 million in cap space before the cornerback signed his deal. And now the measures will be even more drastic.

This is set to be yet another concern hanging over Carolina before their expected return to minicamp next month. Their salary cap predicament is set to be much rosier in 2021, which could see the Panthers have as much as $90 million to utilize.