The Carolina Panthers need to make this offseason count. The more money Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis can free up, the better their chances will be.
Carolina's financial situation remains precarious, for one more offseason at least. They are projected to have $21.62 million in available salary-cap space with 51 players under contract. That's not exactly ideal, but there are ways to increase the available cash.
This is why the Panthers brought Tilis into the fold. The respected front office figure became executive vice president of football operations last offseason and immediately got to work. Carolina took short-term financial hits for long-term prosperity, which was the right call in difficult circumstances. He stabilized everything and left no doubt he was the right man for the job.
Tilis' cap wizardry will need to work his magic once again this offseason. The Panthers have some flexibility from 2026 onwards, which opens things up slightly. And given the need to maximize quarterback Bryce Young's rookie deal, expect the front office to be a little more aggressive.
With this in mind., here are five moves the Panthers can make to save around $48 million on their 2025 salary cap.
All financial projections courtesy of Over the Cap.
Moves to save the Carolina Panthers $48 million on their 2025 salary cap
Carolina Panthers cut Miles Sanders
- Cap saving: $5.22 million
The Carolina Panthers could trim some fat off the playing staff before free agency. This comes with dead cap money, but in some cases, it also comes with significant savings attached.
Looking at the Panthers roster as things stand, running back Miles Sanders seems like a cut candidate. The former second-round pick hasn't performed up to the required standards over the last two years. Injuries and poor performance saw him go from a focal point to an afterthought quickly. A decent effort in Week 18 at the Atlanta Falcons might not be enough to get a reprieve.
Chuba Hubbard is the No. 1 running back. Sanders' chances of seeing out his contract increase when one considers second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks might not be available until 2026. But the more than $5 million in savings attached to his early release are too tempting to ignore.
If Sanders parts ways with the Panthers ahead of time, adding another backfield threat is something to consider. There are always some intriguing options emerging from the college ranks. Carolina can find someone cheaper than the Penn State product and spend the money elsewhere.
Carolina Panthers restructure Robert Hunt
- Cap saving: $11.38 million
The Carolina Panthers had one top target in mind when free agency hit last spring. General manager Dan Morgan wanted to sure up the offensive line interior. He spent a huge sum to bring Robert Hunt into the fold.
Hunt got a five-year, $100 million deal from the Panthers. This was a significant commitment in the right guard. It didn't take long to figure out that it was money well spent.
The former second-round selection became an absolute revelation. He brought a level of flamboyance and accomplished production that was sorely lacking previously. Hunt is physical, assured in pass protection, and plays with a swagger that is hard not to love.
Carolina's guard tandem of Hunt and Damien Lewis are among the league's best. He's someone the Panthers can build around long-term. This is why restructuring his deal looks feasible at some stage during the offseason.
If Hunt had struggled this season, it's a different story. That wasn't the case, so kicking the can down the road slightly can provide the extra resources needed to strengthen other problem areas.
Restructuring Hunt's deal comes with a projected 2025 cap saving of $11.38 million. That's a solid chunk of change that could help enormously.
Carolina Panthers extend Jaycee Horn
- Cap saving: $9.04 million
Jaycee Horn was arguably the Panthers' best player this season. The fourth-year-pro was on a mission to prove his fitness and enter the elite cornerback conversation. He accomplished both with aplomb.
Horn's coverage on the boundary was first-class. The former first-round pick out of South Carolina made significant strides against the run and also became an asset on blitz packages when the situation dictated. This is exactly what the Panthers needed to see at an important stage of the player's career.
The Panthers hedged their bets by triggering Horn's fifth-year option this offseason. This faith was repaid, and both sides are willing to work out a longer-term commitment throughout the offseason.
Getting players paid ahead of time is something Dan Morgan is willing to do if those drafted by the Panthers prove their worth. He did it with Derrick Brown and Chuba Hubbard. Expect the same to happen with Horn at some stage.
Extending Horn will not be cheap. He's one of the league's best shutdown corners and wants to be paid as such. But if the Panthers can work something out, it'll get the Pro Bowler's 2025 cap number down.
Horn's new deal could save the Panthers around $9.04 million based on projections. That will assist Carolina's quest to bring in the right quality during free agency.
Carolina Panthers extend Taylor Moton
- Cap saving: $12.99 million
Taylor Moton is the model of consistency. The veteran right tackle is a core foundational piece and has been a calming influence amid the turbulence. Nobody deserves good times more than the former second-round selection.
Moton has not had the greatest supporting cast along the protection over his time in Carolina. That changed this season with the addition of Robert Hunt. Their partnership on the right-hand side was outstanding, providing the springboard for others to thrive en route to a much-improved campaign from the Panthers' protection.
The Panthers have a decision to make with Moton's contract this offseason. He's got one more year remaining on his deal and is set to count $31.34 million against the salary cap in 2025. That's a lot, but there's an easy way to get the number down.
If the Panthers and Moton can work out an extension ahead of time — something he richly deserves after being nothing but a model professional on and off the field — the cap commitment decreases. It also keeps continuity on the edge and could potentially let the veteran see out his career in Carolina.
Moton's got a lot of good football left, so this would be a sound investment. Something that is projected to come with a saving of $12.99 million for good measure.
Carolina Panthers restructure Derrick Brown
- Cap saving: $9.39 million
Derrick Brown broke the NFL's single-season tackle record for interior defensive linemen in 2023. He earned his first Pro Bowl selection and received a lucrative contract extension from the Panthers as a result of his exceptional efforts.
Momentum had never been higher where the former first-round pick was concerned. Unfortunately, this came to an abrupt halt after one game of the 2024 campaign.
Brown went down with a meniscus injury in Week 1 against the New Orleans Saints. The complication was enough to require surgery and place him on season-ending injured reserve. This was a devastating loss that was sorely felt by Ejiro Evero's 3-4 front.
The Panthers put together a historically bad campaign defensively. They were comfortably the league's worst run defense without Brown. Getting him back this season is going to help, but the problems run a lot deeper than one man.
The Auburn product will be eager to make up for lost time. Brown is a genuine difference-maker in every sense of the term. He's a core part of the future in Carolina, which makes restructuring his deal a likely scenario if they want to increase the financial assets at their disposal.
Restructuring Brown's deal is projected to add $9.39 million to Carolina's coffers. Another hefty sum to fortify the ranks with fresh faces.