With the player additions mostly finalized for this offseason, many fans are curious where the Panthers stand in terms of cap space and distribution. In this series, we’ll take a look at just how much the Panthers have tied up in specific position groups over the next couple of seasons, what contracts could be terminated or extended, and what percentage of the cap each group takes up. For this series, I’ll be using the numbers at Over the Cap. Next on our list, the safeties!
On the Books
Trevon Moehrig was the
big free agent signing last offseason and is in the second year of a three year deal. This year’s cap hit is about $21.3 million. Future Panthers Ring of Honor member Nick Scott signed a one year deal this offseason worth up to $2 million. He could be cut to save about half that, but honestly why would you cut such an elite player? Lathan Ransom and Zakee Wheatley are on rookie deals, the former in year two at $1.24 million and the latter in year one at $1 million. Demani Richardson is the only other safety on the roster at the moment, and he accounts for $1.075 million (though none of that is guaranteed).
Next Year
Next year becomes interesting for the safety room. Ransom and Wheatley will still be on the team an entrenched in their relatively inexpensive rookie deals ($1.36 million and $1.18 million, respectively). Scott and Richardson will be unrestricted free agents, and Moehrig will be entering the final year of his deal. That’s where a big decision from the Panthers is looming. Moehrig is due $22.5 million against the cap in 2027, but the Panthers could cut him and save about $16.5 million. Obviously the decision is much easier if Ransom and Wheatley both play extremely well this season, but I wouldn’t count on a second year player and a rookie to make those leaps just yet. I could definitely see the Panthers extending Moehrig to free up some space and keep him around for another year or two if he keeps playing the way he has.
Measuring Up
Moehrig’s big pay day really pushes the Panthers up the list, landing them in the top five of the NFL in cap percentage dedicated to the safety position (8.2%). The top five on the list are there largely due to big name, big money players like Derwin James (Chargers, 13.69%), Antoine Winfield Jr (Bucs, 11.45%), Jesse Bates III (Falcons, 10.6%), Budda Baker (Cardinals, 9.1%), and Panthers. I find it interesting that three of the top five spenders on the safety position are NFC South teams. Probably a coincidence, but still worth noting. Middle of the road teams spend around 3-4% of their cap on safeties, like the New York Jets at 3.19%. The bottom of the league is littered with teams relying young players on rookie contracts like the Philadelphia Eagles at 1.1% and the Miami Tankers Dolphins at 0.95%.
