NFL--Salary Cap for 2022 & Panthers Decisions...

The salary Cap for 2022 is OFFICIAL.!! The number 208.2M.  That is pretty much what has been forecast over the past couple of months, so it's not really a surprise. Based on that number, I put our Cap space around 32-33M right now (including the 16M or so we saved with the two restructures..). That's not a LOT of room, but its a LOT more than some teams have. The Saints for example are negative on space by 50M or more... YES that's a -50M++. It might be as much as -75M. There is some difference of opinion about the actual number, but THEY are going to have a real problem getting under the cap.!!  BUT, just to be honest and keep this in perspective, the Saints were negative on cap last year as well, to the tune of -100M. (!!!!!!..) The Panthers are not the best for space, but we're in the top half I think. (I haven't looked all of this up.... so some of it is a bit of a guess...)

Anyway, here is the official announcement:   NFL 2022 Salary Cap

So what do you think..??  What can we afford..??

Here is a bit of a reality check. You know what a boat anchor does, right.?? It slows or stops unwanted or unnecessary movement. This article acts as a type of 'anchor' to our expectations. Not an attempt to stop conversation, but rather a simple warning or declaration to C A L M expectations. There is only so much that can be done. We will have to ride it out and see which of our FAs want to be here and which choose to jump ship. Then the real battle among UFAs will begin.

So.... Here is aa article from the Panthers, Darin Gantt. It just recommends caution and calm expectations in this run-up period to the draft. Official "tampering period" begins on the 14th, and the new league year begins on the 16th. That means the Free Agency period also begins on the 16th.  Sooo... we have another week or so to wait before a flurry of activity occurs. The Panthers will probably make a few moves, but it probably will NOT be for Terron Armstead or someone like that.

Here is Darin Gantt's cautionary comments:  PANTHERS-Darin Gantt talks Free Agency