4 franchise-altering questions facing the Carolina Panthers in 2023
By Dean Jones
Can the Carolina Panthers keep their top stars happy?
There promises to be plenty of roster turnover within the Carolina Panthers in 2023. Many players are either out of contract or facing an early chop, with the potential of a new head coach bringing different ideas something that could have big-time ramifications across the board.
A large number of Panthers players are going to be nervously looking over their shoulders next spring. But those in power must also find a way of keeping their top stars happy with little in the way of financial resources to call upon.
According to Spotrac, the Panthers are projected to have just $2 million in salary-cap space before sacrifices are made. Samir Suleiman will be working overtime to ensure all needs are accommodated, with a lucrative contract extension for stud defensive end Brian Burns among the biggest priorities.
Burns holds all the cards after the Panthers turned down a whopping trade offer from the Los Angeles Rams before the deadline. The former first-round selection has 10.5 sacks so far in 2022 and with an ever-growing influence off the field, this is going to be a potentially record-breaking deal for the franchise and perhaps even in NFL terms.
The likes of Matt Ioannidis and Bradley Bozeman are seeking new deals. One also cannot rule out the possibility of Jeremy Chinn looking for a bigger commitment to prevent complications when his contract expires in 2024.
There could be a surprise or two along the way – the NFL is a business after all. But how the Panthers approach this complex issue will go a long way to determining their fortunes in the short and long term.