Could the Panthers re-sign Cam Newton? GM Scott Fitterer addressed that and more
The positive for the Carolina Panthers is they filled some major holes that needed to be filled in the first two weeks of free agency.
The Panthers reached an agreement with cornerback Donte Jackson on a three-year, $35.1 million deal, extended receiver DJ Moore, and signed potential starters on offensive line, linebacker and safety.
However, there’s still more to be done.
The Panthers’ two most important positions — quarterback and left tackle — still need to be addressed. One will likely be addressed in the draft, and the other will be in free agency.
While the Panthers have about $30 million in cap space, according to the NFLPA’s public salary cap data base, $19 million of that is tied up to in-season moves and future draft picks.
The remaining $11 million is considered money they wanted to spend in free agency or through extensions.
“We do have some money, and we’re ready to make a move if something happens or is out there,” Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said Friday, in what were his first comments since the NFL Scouting Combine earlier this month.
Here are some takeaways from the press conference:
What he said about Deshaun Watson
The press conference was also the first time Fitterer spoke publicly since the Panthers went all in on Deshaun Watson, who is facing 22 civil lawsuits from women alleging sexual misconduct and sexual assault during massage sessions.
Watson was traded to Cleveland last week and had his introductory press conference with the Browns on Friday.
Fitterer declined to talk specifically about Watson. When asked was he disappointed it didn’t work out, Fitterer said Carolina is moving forward and is not worried about what it lost.
There were also a report that none of the teams in the hunt for Watson reached out to any of the victims or their attorney Tony Buzzbee. Fitterer was asked about the vetting process the Panthers undertook, but he also declined.
“I’m not going to go into any details today, but we did our work,” he said.
Panthers’ quarterback situation remains fluid
The direction the Panthers will go at quarterback has still yet to be determined. But the one thing we know for certain is that the quarterback room won’t just be Sam Darnold and P.J. Walker.
The Panthers will seek a quarterback at some point, either in free agency, via a trade or the draft. That’s part of the reason they’ve been restructuring deals and clearing cap space.
Earlier this week, the Panthers’ top brass made trips to Pittsburgh, Lynchburg, Va., and Oxford, Mississippi, to see Kenny Pickett, Malik Willis and Matt Corral at their pro days.
“We have to develop our own guys, but I think we will look to add to the group as well,” Fitterer said. “That is one emphasis going into this. ... We’re going to add to the room.”
Rumors also began circulating Friday that the Panthers could be next landing spot for Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray. Murray reportedly has been seeking a long-term extension and had become upset about his situation.
And the Panthers have also been linked to Baker Mayfield, with three sources saying they are not pursuing him at this time.
When asked Friday whether there were any realistic quarterback trade options out there currently, Fitterer said he hasn’t had any conversations with any teams recently.
“I think we’ll explore every option, whether it’s the draft or trades,” he said. “But a team has to call you. And no one has called us recently about that.”
Matt Rhule has had discussions with Cam Newton
Before the Panthers began their all-out pursuit of Watson, Fitterer said the team planned to speak with Cam Newton about their plans in free agency.
Fitterer said Friday that head coach Matt Rhule had spoken to Newton, and the conversation went well.
Newton signed with the Panthers on Nov. 11 after more than a year away from the franchise. But he struggled in his return, and finished 0-5 in his five starts. His running was a strong suit, but his arm clearly wasn’t the same.
“We would love to add someone with his leadership and his toughness,” Fitterer said. “He brought so much to this team last year and stabilized us during a really hard time, and I think he’s a really special person.”
Fitterer said the door is still open for Newton to return, but the situation has to fit both sides.
Here’s the thing, though: If Newton were to return, he wouldn’t be the guaranteed starter. He’d have to compete for a starting job with Darnold, and that’s something Newton would have to take into account.
“It’s not just us saying, ‘Hey Cam, come on back.’ He’s got to want to come back,” Fitterer said. “He’s got to like the role and the room and the situation.”
Any other holes to fill?
Aside from left tackle and quarterback, the Panthers are also looking to add one more piece to the defensive line. That could be another edge rusher or five-technique defensive lineman.
The Panthers lost edge rusher Haason Reddick in free agency. Reddick signed with the Eagles on a three-year, $45 million deal, one Carolina wasn’t willing to pay.
But that also means Carolina must make up for the production he brought. Reddick had 68 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks in his lone season with the Panthers.
They did re-sign edge rusher/linebacker Frankie Luvu and defensive end Marquis Haynes. Luvu is expected to start, and Haynes should get more playing time, too.
“But to add one more body on that defensive line will be a significant upgrade,” Fitterer said.
Other nuggets
▪ Remember Fitterer, Dan Morgan and Stephon Gilmore all live in the same neighborhood in Waxhaw. Fitterer said he and Morgan and their wives were out when they ran into Gilmore at dinner last Friday.
He said they had dinner and talked, and the door is still open for him to return.
“It was kind of a random meeting,” he said. “He came up and we talked, and it was a really good talk. Much like Cam, he’s looking for the right situation.”
A Gilmore return is unlikely, though. He’s looking to get paid, and the Panthers already have a lot of money tied into Jackson, who figures to be the starter opposite of rookie Jaycee Horn.
▪ While in Oxford, Fitterer said the Panthers tried to have dinner with Corral, but he was booked up. He did say they did speak to him off to the side.
The Panthers view Corral as one of the top-three quarterbacks in the draft, and he could be an option for them in April.
▪ Fitterer said the Panthers are going to bring in 30 draft prospects for visits, including some more tackles and quarterbacks over the next month.
“We’re going to keep learning about these guys, who they are, how they process, how they think, what’s their makeup,” he said.
▪ Fitterer indicated that the Panthers would pick up the fifth-year option on Brian Burns’ contract before the May 2 deadline, as they work toward a long-term deal.
Burns made his first Pro Bowl in February after a nine-sack season in 2021.
The fifth-year option for a player who made one Pro Bowl is $16 million in guaranteed money.
“He’s a guy that has come out and produced for us,” Fitterer said. “I really like the leader he is becoming and the man he is.”
