The Carolina Panthers kicked off free agency with the biggest bang imaginable. General manager Dan Morgan knew the pass-rush needed to improve, and he got arguably the best option available on the market by convincing Jaelan Phillips to join this ambitious project.
Acquiring Phillips wasn't cheap. The Panthers reportedly viewed him as the best overall player in this free-agent class. Unlike the situation with defensive lineman Milton Williams last year, Morgan did whatever it took to get him into the building.
And the contract structure of Phillips' agreement proved to Panthers fans that they have the right man managing their salary cap.