What would it take for the Panthers to sign Tyrann Mathieu?

Superstar free safety Tyrann Mathieu was released by the Arizona Cardinals on Wednesday, just two years into his six-year contract, and Twitter rumors are swirling that the Carolina Panthers are interested.

This is no surprise, as it’s likely that nearly every team in the NFL has their eyes on the 25-year old safety. After all, it’s not often that one of the best DBs in the NFL becomes a free agent.

If we are being honest, it’s unlikely the Panthers will sign him, especially having to compete with the likes of the New York Jets, who feature some of his former coaches and a heck of a lot more cap space than Carolina.

But let’s pretend for just a second that the Panthers can afford to take a swing at one of the league’s top young safeties.

What would it take?

Here’s three steps for Marty Hurney to get started.

1. Release Russell Shepard

At the age of 27, with five years experience in the NFL, it seems less and less likely that Shepard will have a breakout campaign. With an absurd $3.5 million contract for next season, it’s worth wondering why Shepard even remains on the roster after his disappointing 2017 season. By releasing Shepard, the team would immediately clear up $2.1 million, while eating $1.4 as dead cap space.

Total cap saved: $2.1 million

2. Release Fozzy Whittaker

In a move that would immediately free up another $1.1 million, with no dead cap, the Panthers could elect to release the second running back on the depth chart.

Make no mistake, Whittaker has not earned the position due to merit. The veteran scat back held 18 rushing yards and five receptions in 2017, with a grand total of 65 yards and one touchdown over the course of the year.

Whittaker, a relic from the days of Dave Gettleman, is also likely to be on his way out anyways if the team is able to draft or sign another running back before the start of the season. He has been routinely out-performed by ground-and-pounder Cameron Artis-Payne, and is a cheap copy of Christian McCaffrey, with no past production to validate his roster spot.

Total cap saved: $3.2 million

3. Release Ryan Kalil

Releasing veteran center Ryan Kalil, who has made note of the fact that he is on his farewell tour this season, would free up nearly $6.8 million in cap space for the team to work with – a hefty sum that would go a long way towards paying for Mathieu’s first year in Charlotte.

The move would also include adding $2.7 million in dead cap, but Kalil has missed 55 percent of the last two years, leaving backup Tyler Larsen to start in his place. Larsen may not be on par with a healthy Kalil, but there’s a chance Kalil will never play healthy again.

Total cap saved: $10 million

Add that extra $10 million in savings to the projected $17.7 million in cap space the Panthers already have minus Julius Peppers’ new deal, and they might be able to at least compete for Mathieu on the open market.

Related 2 positives to the Panthers losing left guard Andrew Norwell

newsletter Get 10 hot stories each day Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation. Thanks for signing up.

Please check your email for a confirmation.