NFL Trade Rumors.com Potential Cap Casualties: Carolina Panthers

[TheSpecialJuan]

Carolina Panthers

• OLB Jadeveon Clowney ($8M)
• OLB D.J. Wonnum ($6.7M)
• RB Miles Sanders ($5.3M)
• DL A’Shawn Robinson ($4.5M)
• OT Yosh Nijman ($3.7M)
• WR Adam Thielen ($3.4M)
• DT Shy Tuttle ($3.3M)
• CB Dane Jackson ($3.3M)

 

The Panthers don’t have nearly the amount of cap space you’d expect for a team lacking as much talent as they do. They don’t even have a high-priced quarterback deal gobbling up space, with former No. 1 pick Bryce Young making about $8.5 million a year on his deal. Carolina’s been active the past two years in free agency to try and fill out the roster and the bulk of their space is dedicated to those deals. The team has had to guarantee money into the second year of a lot of contracts to lure players, and fortunately for GM Dan Morgan, his hit rate is looking better than his predecessor. 

Clowney and Wonnum were both signed as Carolina rebuilt its edge rusher room nearly from scratch following the trade of DE Brian Burns to the Giants. Both players have been solid when they have been on the field, which took a while for Wonnum due to complications from a torn quad that ended his 2023 season. I don’t see the Panthers wanting to take a step back here even if they’ll almost certainly add to the room, and neither Clowney nor Wonnum are making salaries out of line with the market. 

Thielen has continued to be productive despite pushing into his mid-30s, so his chances of coming back look a lot better than they did a few months ago. Still, he’s due $6.75 million in 2025, and his status might depend on whether the Panthers are able to add more punch to their receiving corps. Second-round WR Xavier Legette and UDFA WR Jalen Coker have had intriguing rookie seasons but if Carolina took just that trio into 2025, it’d be uninspiring. Thielen’s salary is harder to justify if he’s fourth on the depth chart. A $1.5 million roster bonus is due March 17, which will push the Panthers to make a quick decision. 

Sanders might have been cut this past offseason had his salary not already been guaranteed, so even with the uncertainty in the team’s backfield behind incumbent RB Chuba Hubbard, it’s hard to see Sanders being back. Nijman was signed as insurance at tackle, but wasn’t healthy enough to play when LT Ikem Ekwonu missed some time. Carolina wants to be strong up front but they’re paying Nijman a premium for a swing tackle right now. 

The status of Robinson and Tuttle could depend on what happens with Panthers DC Ejiro Evero. He has been in high demand the past three years for head coaching interviews and for defensive coordinator jobs but Carolina’s defense has been so bad, depleted personnel aside, that it’s impossible to just assume he’ll be back. Evero might want a better situation for himself as well. If he’s back, Robinson probably will be as well, as he’s been a bright spot. It could go either way with Tuttle, Evero or no. 

Jackson was benched after missing significant time with a hamstring injury. He has $1 million already guaranteed in 2025 but that might not be enough to save him from being cut. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://nfltraderumors.co/potential-cap-casualties-for-all-32-teams-in-2025/

[ProcessBlue2]

They have 32 million as it stands. 

Restructure:

• Hunt (11 million)
• Lewis (6 million)
• Brown (9 million)

Restructure Total: 26 million

Release: 

• Sanders (7 million) (1.4 DC)
• Clowney (8 million) (6 DC)
• Robinson (6.5 million) (2 DC)
• Wonnum (7.5 million) (1 DC)
• D. Jackson (3.3 million) (2.5 DC)
• Tuttle (6.5 million) (2.8 DC)

Release total: 38.8 million

Total Cap: 96.8 million

Dead Cap: 15.7 million

Per OVERTHECAP

Edited 4 hours ago by ProcessBlue2
I'm open to being the Asst. GM

[Aussie Tank]

2 minutes ago, ProcessBlue2 said:

They have 32 million as it stands. 

Restructure:

• Hunt (11 million)
• Lewis (6 million)
• Brown (9 million)

Restructure Total: 26 million

Release: 

• Sanders (7 million) (1.4 DC)
• Clowney (8 million) (6 DC)
• Robinson (6.5 million) (2 DC)
• Wonnum (7.5 million) (1 DC)
• D. Jackson (3.3 million) (2.5 DC)
• Tuttle (6.5 million) (2.8 DC)

Release total: 38.8 million

Total Cap: 96.8 million

Dead Cap: 15.7 million

Per OVERTHECAP

I'd do all that but probably have to keep Clowney and Wonnum 

[NCBlu]

Wonnum and Thielen can stay both proved they can still contribute to the team

[TheSpecialJuan]

2 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Carolina Panthers

• OLB Jadeveon Clowney ($8M)
• OLB D.J. Wonnum ($6.7M)
• RB Miles Sanders ($5.3M)
• DL A’Shawn Robinson ($4.5M)
• OT Yosh Nijman ($3.7M)
• WR Adam Thielen ($3.4M)
• DT Shy Tuttle ($3.3M)
• CB Dane Jackson ($3.3M)

We're gonna cut Miles Sanders, Yosh Nijman, Shy Tuttle, and Dane Jackson.

Even with the injury to Jonathan Brooks, Sanders is too pricey to keep. Nijman was brought in to challenge Ickey, but Ickey had played well enough to be considered our long-term LT. Tuttle is not very good and replaceable at NT and Jackson is too expensive for a #4 CB. I think we'll try to re-sign Michael Jackson and Tommy Tremble.

[MHS831]

This is a fluff article written simply by looking at OTC--I appreciate the view, but getting rid of Wonnum and Clowney is nonsensical.  Even if we draft an edge, it takes a bit of time to develop.  Rucker, Hardy, Charles Johnson--all were not that effective until year 3--We need a young edge while we have some veterans on the roster--and if we want a Peppers-like rookie edge, it is not happening this year.  there are some solid players, however, but I don't see any Watts or Bosas.

[Panthero]

Wonnum and Clowney aren't going anywhere scrow. Lol. 

[Aussie Tank]

30 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

This is a fluff article written simply by looking at OTC--I appreciate the view, but getting rid of Wonnum and Clowney is nonsensical.  Even if we draft an edge, it takes a bit of time to develop.  Rucker, Hardy, Charles Johnson--all were not that effective until year 3--We need a young edge while we have some veterans on the roster--and if we want a Peppers-like rookie edge, it is not happening this year.  there are some solid players, however, but I don't see any Watts or Bosas.

If we stay 3-4 i think old mate from Penn State would be an interesting chess piece. With his burst and bend but also his off ball experience you could try and confuse the QB and oline.

Not with Evaro though need some creativity on the DC's part 

[PappyMay]

I really only want to see Tuttle(post June cut to break it over 2 yrs) and Sanders gone.  For the money I doubt we can get much better than Wonnum and Clowney for their cost. Also I don’t want Jackson to start but if it only saves 800k to cut him just let him be depth.