3 easiest salary cap decisions Carolina Panthers can make in 2023
By Dean Jones
What easy decisions could the Carolina Panthers make to improve their salary-cap situation during the 2023 off-season period?
General manager Scott Fitterer and other influential front office figures now take center stage after Frank Reich put together a masterful coaching staff. While the prospect for growth among current roster members cannot be ruled out under an exceptional team, the Carolina Panthers must also strengthen with minimal salary-cap space to make moves currently.
Obviously, there are ways to free up the money needed. Team owner David Tepper might have thrown his weight around financially to form his all-star staff, but the strict salary-cap rules mean that is simply not possible when it comes to molding a contender.
Looking at the grand scheme of things, some decisions look harder than others. It’s also worth remembering that the Panthers need to retain established stars, extend the likes of Brian Burns ahead of time, and also have eight selections in the 2023 NFL Draft that must be accounted for.
It’s going to be an eventful few weeks. Here are three of the easiest salary cap decisions the Panthers can make in 2023.
Decision No. 1
Carolina Panthers cut Damien Wilson
- Cap savings – $3.61 million
Damien Wilson was a swing and a miss by the Carolina Panthers in 2022 free agency. The veteran linebacker entered the organization under a cloud following his offseason arrest and it didn’t take long for the player’s production to decrease significantly once Matt Rhule was removed from the equation.
Cutting Wilson with one year remaining on his deal saves the Panthers $3.61 million. Not a significant amount, but something that could help along the way.