CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper knows he probably can’t procure the talent needed to build a Super Bowl-caliber roster this year given the team’s current salary cap constraints.
The billionaire also understands, as he said after making Frank Reich the sixth head coach in franchise history, there are no salary cap restrictions on building a staff.
So as Reich turns his attention in the next few months toward selecting players for free agency and recruiting, he has a crew that understands what it takes to be a title contender thanks to Tepper’s deep pockets.
“He never shied away from it [no salary cap] ‘Statement,’ Reich said earlier this week after completing most of his staff. “It doesn’t mean it was an open checkbook. It just means we’re willing to do what it takes to get the right coaches and put the right team together.
“We were able to compete against other teams who were competing for similar candidates.”
Reich was able to lure two former NFL coaches to his team in senior defensive advisor Dom Capers, 72, and senior assistant Jim Caldwell, 68.
The first head coach in Panthers history, Capers helped the Green Bay Packers win the Super Bowl in 2010 as defensive coordinator. Caldwell, head coach with the Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions, has helped the Colts (2005, assistant coach and QBs coach) and Baltimore Ravens (2012, interim offensive coordinator and QBs coach) win titles.
The Panthers have won 10 Super Bowl rings combined and have 191 years of coaching experience in the NFL.
As much as Tepper has been criticized for past decisions—hiring Matt Rule as his head coach in 2020 despite Rhule’s lack of NFL experience, not making interim head coach Steve Wilkes a full-time coach after firing Rhule in October, the team’s new facility in Rock Hill, South Carolina, after spending more than $175 million on the $800 million project – has so far delivered with new employees.
“Mr. Tepper’s involvement was not intrusive but powerful in the right way,” Reich said.
Capers compared the staff experience to the experience he made on the team’s preliminary roster that led to an expansion record of seven wins in 1995 and a trip to the NFC Championship Game in 1996.
“It’s the staff who set the tone,” he said.
But for the Panthers to become a playoff team for the first time since the 2017 season, a lot has to happen.
Let’s take a look at the next step:
salary cap
For a team ranked in the bottom half of the league in cap space, the starting place is linebacker Chuck Thompson. He’s set to count about $24.5 million against his 2023 cap. Carolina could save $13.16 million by cutting him off or restructuring his deal to salvage that or more. Thompson, who is set to turn 29 in April, would be a good fit at inside linebacker with Carolina transitioning into a 3-4 starting system under new defensive coordinator Ejiro Eveiro and Capper. He too can be luxury in this position.
Carolina could save another $3.61 million by cutting linebacker Damian Wilson and another $3.1 million by cutting tight end Ian Thomas. Granted snooty Brian Burns, who is set to count $16 million under his option cap for a fifth year, an extension that would ease his hitting cap this year is a potential option. Wide receiver DJ Moore, who capped $25.04 million this season, is a strong candidate for a restructuring to clear another $12 million or so.
Regardless, the lid will be tight. The good news is that 18 of the 22 starters contracted.
franchise quarterback
Carolina is going strong first after former Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr, unlikely, according to a league source. The price is too high. So the Panthers will likely look to re-sign free agent Sam Darnold or a veteran for a second quarterback price ($8 million to $12 million) and draft a quarterback with the No. 9 overall pick.
Don’t be surprised if they trade the top three to make sure they get their man among Alabama’s Bryce YoungOhio CJ Stroud and Kentucky Will Levis. The only players currently under contract are 2022 third-rounder Matt Corral and 25-year-old skilful Jacob Eason.
tight end
Here’s perspective: Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs Travis Kelsey had 27 catches and four touchdowns in three playoff games. Carolina’s entire tight room had 50 catches for three touchdowns in 17 regular season games.
The Panthers haven’t been so threatened since Greg Olsen caught 52 passes in 2019. Thomas, as a blocker, hasn’t had more than 21 passes in any of the past four seasons. Tommy Trimble, who scored three times on 19 catches last season, could fill in for Thomas.
What Karolina needs is a Kellis-like threat. Dalton Schultz of the Dallas Cowboys, Evan Ingram of the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Mike Giesicki of the Miami Dolphins could all be options in free agency. This is also a good year to get a tight end in the second or third round of the draft.
Internal defensive navigator
Rushdy Edge Burns and Frankie Luvu have a chance to succeed in the Panthers’ 3-4 chart, as did Kevin Greene and Lamar Lathon for Carolina under the Capers in 1996. Green had a league-best 14.5 sacks and Lathon is tied for second with 13.5. This is another reason to extend Burns now; Its price could go up after 2023.
The focus in free agency and draft should be on the big guys to eat the blocks. Tackle Derrick Brown, Capers told ESPN.com, can fit into any scheme. Gros Matos could fit as an end in this scheme, but the Panthers need to add another big body or two to free up Burns and LoFou for speeding passes.
Bozeman and Foreman
Carolina needs to re-sign quarterback Bradley Bozeman and running back Donta Furman. Both were a big part of the late-season boom that kept the Panthers in playoff contention. Both want to come back, likely to get mid-range salaries and take the pressure off the quarterback.