Updated-Panther's Salary Cap Status*

[SetfreexX]

http://www.catscratc...tball#storyjump

Travelle Wharton’s cap charge goes from $7,562,882 to $1,862,882, with $1,862,882 in dead money left in 2013. Wharton is replaced in Carolina’s Top 51 by a player whose base salary is $540,000, so the Panthers have a net gain of $5.16 million in cap room and are now $8,383,625 under the cap.

Okay, that's good. The Panthers have signed some FAs and all their draft picks, and we've still got a good chunk of change in the coffer. Keep in mind, though, that the Panthers got a salary cap "bump" for 2012, so instead of trying to work against the $120.6m cap, ours is actually $125.6; so, we're sitting on around a $117.3 cap number right now. There's no real significance to that (as far as I know); just putting it out there for edumacational value.

The new CBA does not impose a hard "floor" per team until 2013, so the Panthers aren't required to spend anything. There is the stipulation, however, that league-wide, teams must pay 99% of the cap, an average of $119.2m. In 2013, a hard floor of 89% of the cap will be imposed for each team.

If you want to see what each player counts against this year's cap, here's a good site (link here). A word of advice... don't look at the line for O. Mare. It will make you need to find a "happy place."

Also of note, when considering D-Will's contract/cap hit, you have to pro-rate his $16m signing bonus which adds $3.2m to the cap for 5 years. But, it also means he's got $21m (less taxes) already in his wallet, so I would hope D-Will would be pretty easily convinced to restructure. He's a good little Panther, after all.

Let's say the Panthers aren't able to strike a deal with Stewart this season. Do you really think they would let him walk for nothing? Not bloody likely. Instead, I think he'd be franchised for 2013. The franchise tender for RBs this year is $7.742 million. Depending on what happens with Forte and Rice, this number may change somewhat for 2013, but it will likely still be less than the $8.45m that D-Will's cap hit is for this year. My point is, re-signing Stewy isn't really an urgent priority. He's not going anywhere unless another team offers a serious premium for his services.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Save that cash for next season! We're already going to be close to the cap if not over it.

[rayzor]

good.

[Panthercougar68]

Remember when everyone was in panic mode over the cap back in February and March, ahhhh good times.

[Guest Bwood]

Who are some big name defensive free agents next season?

[Ken]

Anyone still want Shockey?

[La Pantera]

Who are some big name defensive free agents next season?

Doesn't matter. We never sign big name free agents...even if we have the money. Who was last big name FA the Panthers signed? Keyshawn in 06'?

[The Special One]

Hurney Power!

[CarolinaPanthers8789]

That's how we're going to re-sign Stewart, just in case anyone was wondering...

[Mr Smiley]

Cap mastah!

[Gallagher]

Anyone still want Shockey?

Aye!

[mountainpantherfan]

Doesn't matter. We never sign big name free agents...even if we have the money. Who was last big name FA the Panthers signed? Keyshawn in 06'?

Depends on what your deffition of "big name" is. If Keyshawn in 06 is the standard then I would say the last one was 2012 with Tolbert. Hurney doesn't usually go after the best at a position but he has signed guys like Tolbert, Shockey, Lucas, Wahle, Kemoeatu, D Lewis, and Brayton. They're not HOFers but solid players and usually are regarded as "top 100" players available.

[Cold Cat]

cool. thanks for the update man.

[Montie_0123]

It's good to know they're that much under the cap, for me I never really worry about it because Hurney seems to do an ok job of keeping us under it every year. I do think he needs to slow down with over paying players though, but I guess you have to take the good with the bad.