For the first time since the current regime took over, the Carolina Panthers will not enter the offseason in a huge bind with the salary cap. This group has done an outstanding job of putting a competitive product on the field while getting its once-messy books in order, making it to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Of course, there is definitely room to improve this roster, as the Panthers benefited from a very weak NFC South in making the postseason and an injury-depleted Arizona Cardinals in winning their wild-card game. Following their loss to the Seattle Seahawks, what are their top offseason priorities? Let's take a look:
1. Lock up Cam Newton to a long-term contract extension.