In the coming days, I’ll be doing brief synopses for each NFL team regarding their current cap situation and offseason approach they should take.
We’ll start with the teams that have the most cap space available, then work our way down to those teams who have less cap space, to those who have work to do to gain cap space.
Each synopsis will look at cap space (or how much over the cap), players under contract, total draft picks, any players with a fifth-year option decision ahead and notes about the most notable free agent, the most likely player cut and the quarterback situation.
Next up in this series is the Carolina Panthers.
Players under contract for 2026: 55
Projected cap space: $14.4M
Total draft picks: Eight (No. 19 in first round)
Most notable free agent: Rico Dowdle
Most likely roster cut: Bobby Brown III
Fifth-year option decision: Bryce Young
Quarterback situation: Bryce Young remains an inconsistent player but he’ll likely be the starter for 2026.
The ideal offseason approach:
While the Panthers made the playoffs, this isn’t a team that is built for a deep playoff run. They still have plenty of questions surrounding the roster and who will be part of the long term.
The best thing the Panthers can do with Young is pick up his fifth-year option. They can hold off on an extension to see how Young fares in 2026, then make a decision after the season.
The Panthers also have to make a decision about extending Ikem Ekwonu. An extension would lower his cap number. Even so, the Panthers should probably think more about the draft than free agency as a means to improve the team.