As the Panthers prepare to try to keep some of their talented free agents, their G.M. is using his talents to create enough cap space to pay them.
According to Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, Dave Gettlemen has cleared $7.25 million in 2014 cap space via the restructuring of three veteran contracts.
Center Ryan Kalil, running back Jonathan Stewart, and linebacker Thomas Davis have agreed to new deals, and the extra cap space has placed the Panthers $29 million under the projected 2014 cap of $132 million.
More cap room could be created via a potential restructuring of the contract of defensive end Charles Johnson, who has a team-high cap number of $16.4 million.
The team’s 2014 free agents include cornerback Drayton Florence, receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., tackle Jordan Gross, defensive end Greg Hardy, receiver Domenik Hixon, receiver Brandon LaFell, safety Quentin Mikell, safety Mike Mitchell, and cornerback Captain Munnerlyn.
Free agency launches two weeks from today.