CHARLOTTE, NC (WCCB Charlotte) — Ron Rivera was asked about roster changes at his year-end press conference.
“That’s his question,” Rivera laughed as he pointed to general manager Dave Gettleman.
Rivera and Gettleman have quite a rapport since their ‘blind date’ three years ago when Gettleman was hired. As the Panthers 2015 season comes to a close, one win shy of a Super Bowl title, Gettleman now has the task of trying to keep a lot of great, Carolina-developed, players.
“I don’t want to develop players for other teams,” Gettleman responded when asked about the flux of young talent who are not locked up long term.
The team has locked up the core group. Quarterback Cam Newton, linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis and tight end Greg Olsen inked deals last offseason. A high priority would be the team’s top defensive back, Josh Norman, who is a free agent. Gettleman has said he is not against using the NFL’s franchise tag on a player if it fits.
The franchise tag is a designation a team may apply to a player scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent. A franchise player must be offered a one-year contract for an amount no less than the average of the top five salaries at the player’s position
Another offseason priority could be to ink Kawann Short. The defensive tackle turned in a second team, all-pro campaign with 11-sacks this season– a franchise record for an interior defensive lineman.
Offensively, all pro fullback Mike Tolbert is a free agent. His future with the team is in doubt especially after the team drafted running back Cameron Artis-Payne, in the fifth round.
“We have a month left before the league year starts,” Tolbert said. “Do I want to be back? Yes. Like I told Joe, it’s not up to me totally.”
The team will get a ‘first round talent’ wide receiver, Kelvin Benjamin, back after he missed the entire season due to an ACL injury in training camp. The team picks No. 30 overall in the April NFL Draft. Gettleman also plans to add to the team in his usual, ‘methodical’ manner through free agency and possibly trades.
“Roster building is a 12-month process. And you can’t sit here and rest on your laurels, you went to the Super Bowl so obviously you are going to go back again.”
Here’s a list of Panthers players who are free agents after this season courtesy of SpoTrac.Com
