The Carolina Panthers didn't finish the 2015 season the way they wanted to- as Super Bowl champions- but have arguably one of the best rosters in the NFL returning next season and will be one of the heavy favorites in the NFC. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has plenty player personnel decisions to make this offseason, and he is looking to restock both sides of the ball this offseason.
The Panthers dominated on both sides of the ball on their way to a 15-1 regular season record this past season, as they had the top scoring offense and sixth ranked defense in terms of points allowed. Carolina has already lost a key piece this offseason with defensive end Jared Allen's retirement announcement, and they could be looking to bolster their defensive line and their pass rush this offseason.
The Panthers reportedly met with pass rusher Quinton Coples on Tuesday, and he could look to re-establish himself on a dominant Carolina defense. The former first round pick recorded 16.5 sacks and two forced fumbles his first three seasons in the league but was waived by the Jets last season and was claimed by the Dolphins. Miami also chose to move on from the former first round pick and released him earlier this offseason.
Coples played college football at the University of North Carolina and could make a strong addition to the Panthers pass rush next season. Panthers head coach Ron Rivera knows how to get the most out of his players, and playing alongside players like Kawann Short and Luke Kuechly could possibly motivate him to prove why he was a former first round draft pick back in 2012.
The former Jets pass rusher saw his numbers drop when he switched from defensive end to outside linebacker, but he showed the ability to play at either position. It's unkown if Carolina would place him at outside linebacker or defensive end, but he would likely make a strong fit on their defensive line as an defensive end in their 4-3 defense. The Panthers still have a major decision to make with defensive end Charles Johnson, as he is scheduled to make $10.75 million next season and creates a $15 million salary cap charge. The Panthers veteran pass rusher will likely have to take a pay cut to remain in Carolina next season, and with the Panthers front office placing the non-exclusive franchise tag on cornerback Josh Norman, they now have less money to spread throughout their roster.
It's unknown if the Panthers front office will be willing to cut Johnson if he doesn't take a pay cut, but Coples could provide a nice addition in Carolina's defense next season and could likely be signed at a bargain price given the fact that he was released from two teams in the past year. The Panthers may be missing both of their starting defensive ends in 2016, and Coples could fill a nice hole as a pass rusher and look to re-establish himself as legitimate starting defensive end in this league again.
