Having approached free agency quite aggressively a year ago, the Panthers aren’t flush with cash this time around. The Panthers do have a little over $40 million tied up in six final-year contracts with veteran players, but almost $30 of this could be released early by cutting one or more of these players. What this likely means is that the Panthers free agency moves will be focused around retaining key players and adding surrounding talent at minimal expense. With around $25 million to spend, this shouldn’t be the mass exodus that followed the 2013 season, but where should the priorities lies for the Panthers?
The Expendables
Dan France, Drew Iddings, Scott Simonson, David Yankey, Mose Frazier, Charles Johnson (WR), Teddy Williams and Andrew Gachkar
A lot of the players the Panthers have hitting free agency are not names that most Panthers’ fans will be familiar with, some of them have never even put on a Panthers’ uniform. While these players could well be brought back to the 90-man roster, they would be there as either insurance or fodder for early cuts; the active roster is unlikely going to be their end destination. Williams, Simonson, Gachkar and Frazier have all been on the roster at various points, but Simonson and Williams were likely on the outside looking in before their preseason injuries; Frazier and Gachkar were unlikely to have gotten on the active roster if not for a rash of injuries at their respective positions.
The Fringe Guys
Chris Manhertz, Greg Van Roten, Ladarius Gunter, Amini Silatolu, Brenton Bersin and Kaelin Clay
The Panthers almost certainly have interest in bringing these players back, albeit at the right price. Gunter is the real unknown here, having not played this season after starting in Green Bay, but the others have played enough for them to be considered emergency depth if nothing else. While the Panthers would probably prefer these players aren’t the ones making the final roster, they are likely candidates for the 90-man with a chance to fight their way onto the roster. Brenton Bersin is a prime example of this role; the roster stalwart is not somebody you’d choose to have playing, but competent enough that he can be turned to if need be.
The Returners
Michael Palardy, Tyler Larsen, Damiere Byrd and Jairus Byrd
Palardy was been decent, if somewhat unspectacular, this year; while the Panthers may bring an undrafted rookie free agent in to compete in camp, they would be foolish not to bring him back for another year at least. Larsen and Jairus Byrd both played well enough in replacement to merit short-term contracts, especially given how short the Panthers are on the interior offensive line and at safety. The Panthers are lucky that Damiere Byrd is an exclusive-rights free agent as he played well enough in the games he was healthy to be considered a valuable asset. With both he and Samuel returning at receiver, the Panthers are not as thin at receiver as it might currently seem.
The Imperative
Andrew Norwell
Norwell is one of the best guards in the league, he’s still young, there are limited other options at guard in free agency and the draft class is weak at the position. The Panther have almost no choice but to pay Norwell what he deserves, whether that is in the form of the franchise tag or a long-term contract extension. The Panthers have the money to do so, and with him likely attracting more than $10 million a year, they can likely do so with some money to spare, especially if they free up some cap space by releasing some other veterans on the team.
The Question Marks
Julius Peppers, Graham Gano, Star Lotulelei, Derek Anderson and Ed Dickson
With Peppers, the question will likely be whether he feels like he has another season in him; if he wants to come back, it would be surprising if he and the Panthers couldn’t come to an agreement to stay with the team to which he was originally drafted. With Anderson and Dickson, the question is more about whether the Panthers think it is time to move on. Anderson, in particular, is starting to come towards the end of his career and depending on what the other options are, the Panthers could well opt to go a different way at backup quarterback. With Lotulelei and Gano, the question is almost certainly about the money. If both look to get the most possible cash, then their ultimate destinations will likely lie outside of the Carolinas, but there is a chance that the Panthers will be able to keep all three.
