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Examining the top-5 salary-cap hits on the Carolina Panthers in 2021

By Nick Halden

GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Inside linebacker Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers forces quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Carolina Panthers to fumble in the the second quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - DECEMBER 19: Inside linebacker Krys Barnes #51 of the Green Bay Packers forces quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Carolina Panthers to fumble in the the second quarter of the game at Lambeau Field on December 19, 2020 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Carolina Panthers
(Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports) Sam Darnold /

The Carolina Panthers’ 2021 cap situation is coming into full view with their recent trade and free agency moves during a busy offseason so far.

Watching the Carolina Panthers roster moves this offseason, one thing remains incredibly clear. This is still a rebuilding team searching for a franchise quarterback and defensive pieces to replace one of the best linebackers ever to play.

The days of Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly-led Panther teams are long gone. This is a team still searching for the next generation of talent. They have found their first piece in Christian McCaffrey and hope to have found their second in Sam Darnold after acquiring the signal-caller via trade from the New York Jets.

While in a tough division the Panthers have remained patient in recent months, giving themselves cap and trade flexibility. The moves they are making are calculated and for the future and not the sort of decisions associated with a team looking to win now.

With this in mind, let’s review the top Panthers’ cap hits of 2021. This list won’t include draft picks or dead cap hits, only active players still on the current roster.

Number 5

Carolina Panthers
(Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) Christian McCaffrey /

Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers RB

  • 2021 salary-cap hit: $6.89 million

The fact Christian McCaffrey is the fifth-highest cap hit on the Panthers points to the value of his deal. He is arguably the best running back in the league and is going to get an upgrade at the quarterback position in 2021 if Darnold can turn things around.

When the best player on your roster is only making up 3.7 percent of your cap, you have it made. McCaffrey is locked up for the Panthers through the 2025 season and if they are going to have any success moving forward, their face of the franchise needs to be the focal point.

With the Panthers’ defense still facing a lot of questions, the best odds of winning consistently is going to be ball control. This is a challenge made a lot more achievable by the fact you have McCaffrey. When healthy he is going to attract a lot of attention and give his team the ability to put together long and sustainable drives.

McCaffrey’s salary is well worth it. He may be the only player on this roster who will be a Panther in another three seasons and the former Stanford product is an exceptional building block for future achievements.

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