5 potential salary-cap casualties for the Carolina Panthers in 2023

Frankie Luvu – Carolina Panthers OLB

• Dead-cap figure – $1.5 million
• Cap savings – $4 million

After taking the Carolina Panthers by storm as a rotational piece in 2021, there could be a big season ahead for Frankie Luvu after the linebacker secured a new deal from the organization. This was thoroughly deserved after the Washington State product made every rep count, but what comes next is even more important.

Luvu could be the one who benefits most from Haason Reddick’s departure in free agency. A starting spot at the second level is there for the taking and the Panthers are clearly confident in his ability to take another leap forward given how early they got a deal done with the player before free agency.

The energy and instincts Luvu brought to the table were refreshing, to say the least. This was matched by a level of production in key moments that really caught the eye and left plenty of hope for the future.

If things don’t work out in Year 2 for Luvu, which does appear unlikely, then the Panthers structured his deal so that it gives them a realistic out next season. Cutting the player represents a saving of $4 million and a dead-cap sum of just $1.5 million, which might be considered if everything doesn’t go according to plan.

This would be an extreme disappointment considering the impact Luvu made last season. But nothing can be ruled out in the NFL.