The Carolina Panthers are looking to get back to the playoffs in 2015 and with Cam Newton's contract situation coming up, the team may have to make some moves to get it done, including letting Greg Hardy go as a free agent and this comes as names like Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga, Torrey Smith, Jeremy Maclin and CJ Spiller could be potential targets for the team in free agency.
Newton and the Panthers made the playoffs with a losing record in 2015 and the team won over the Arizona Cardinals before falling to the Seahawks in the divisional round. Moving forward general manager Dave Gettelman knows that the team must improve and the offensive side of the ball could be the focus this offseason. According to ESPN.com and Pro Football Talk, Gettelman spoke to Jonathan Jones of the Charlotte Observer about next year and the contract situation surrounding Cam Newton, saying that he wants Newton in Carolina for the long term.
Gettelman called Newton the "franchise quarterback" and with his fifth year option coming up, the Panthers may try and work out an extension or a new deal with Newton. The report from the Charlotte Observer writes that the team has $14.667 million going to Newton in his fifth year and if the team uses the franchise tag after next season, Newton will cost close to $20 million. Gettelman said he understands what it means to have a franchise QB and that is why he expects Newton to be with the team for the long haul.
The Panthers may also look at names like Randall Cobb, Bryan Bulaga, Torrey Smith, Jeremy Maclin or Cecil Shorts in free agency, as they need some help on the offensive side of the ball. Shorts could be a cheap option after coming off of an injury season with Jacksonville, while Cobb could be an interesting option if he plays hardball with the Packers. Bulaga is also a target according to Cat Scratch Reader at SB nation, as the team could use a boost on the offensive line.
The Panthers went just 7-8-1 last season, but that was enough to win the division and make the playoffs and next year the team is expecting to be much more consistent. The team lost a number of offensive players into this season and the absence of Hardy due to his legal issues also hurt the defense. The team ranked seventh in rushing yards per game behind Newton, Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams, but that doesn't mean the team won't look to improve at the position.
Stewart and Williams have had injury issues in the past and that could lead the team to look at options on the free agent market. CJ Spiller and Ryan Mathews could be potential pickups, while Jeremy Maclin and Torrey Smith are WR options. The Panthers ranked 19th in the league in passing yards per game last season and Newton had just 3100 yards passing. Adding a player like Smith or Maclin could make a huge difference, as the Panthers have a fantastic young receiver in Kelvin Benjamin. The Panthers once again should be the favorites in the South along with the Saints and Falcons, while the Bucs are terrible.