CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers cornerback Captain Munnerlyn, one of eight Carolina starters who will become unrestricted free agents in March, wants a long-term deal.

He also wants to stay with Carolina.

Asked if he was optimistic both could happen, the fifth-year player out of South Carolina said, "Kind of, sorta."

"It's home for me," Munnerlyn said Monday, the day after Carolina's season ended with a 23-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers in an NFC divisional playoff game. "It's the team that drafted me. It's kind of tough to leave this place, man.

"We've got something special going. I know the guys in the secondary, there's a lot of us up. People call us the 'Legion of Whom,' but man, I wouldn't trade those guys for anybody in the world, for anybody."

Three of the eight starters that will become free agents are in the secondary in Munnerlyn, free safety Mike Mitchell and strong safety Quintin Mikell.

Most of Carolina's free agents are like Munnerlyn, players who won't demand top dollar in the open market. Munnerlyn, who signed a one-year deal to return this season, just wants to be treated fairly, which is why he said "kind of, sorta."