5 roster moves that could instantly save the Panthers $26 million
By Dean Jones
What roster moves could be made by the Carolina Panthers to free-up some additional funds to spend in free agency this spring?
The Carolina Panthers could have had a nice chunk of change to spend in free agency this year in normal circumstances. But the ongoing complications surrounding COVID-19 and a lack of gameday revenue across the league this season is going to see the salary-cap come down a considerable amount.
This has the ability to throw a spanner in their rebuild, to put it mildly. According to Over the Cap, the Panthers are projected to have just over $8 million in free funds to utilize, and that is with 25 current roster members out of their contracts.
Not exactly the best scenario to make plans for progression.
New general manager Scott Fitterer and head coach Matt Rhule have a big job on their hands in the coming weeks. Sacrifices need to be made and it’s vital they get every single one of their 2021 NFL Draft picks right to further bolster a talented young core that did have some nice moments throughout the previous campaign.
With that in mind, here are five moves the Panthers could make that would instantly save them $26.62 million to spend elsewhere.
Carolina Panthers roster move No. 1
Cut Michael Palardy
- Cap saving – $2.02 million
Michael Palardy is a prime candidate for early release this offseason. The punter missed the entire 2020 campaign with a torn ACL caused by a non-football injury and considering how well rookie Joseph Charlton performed in his absence, he has now become surplus to requirements.
Saving $2 million might not seem like much. But given the current constraints on NFL teams due to a lack of gameday revenue this season, every little bit of extra potential expenditure helps.
This is just the nature of the beast, unfortunately. Palardy is good enough to get another shot elsewhere providing he gets back to full health and a parting of the ways is probably the best possible scenario for all parties involved.