The NFLPA’s Public Salary Cap Report has listed the Carolina Panthers with $14.5 million in space for the past six weeks. That will soon begin to fluctuate again but by how much?

“We’re under right now; we’re comfortable and we’ll just see what happens,” general manager Dave Gettleman said.

Ideally, Gettleman would like to hit $20 million under. At a minimum, he needs $5-6 million in the salary cap bank for additions after injuries. So he’s currently about midway to where he wants to be.

With camp about to begin, guys like receiver Reggie Wayne and offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus are available. But instead of adding anyone right now, Gettleman’s financial focus is more likely on linebacker Luke Kuechly.

The Panthers not only wanted to get quarterback Cam Newton’s $103.8 million deal done before camp to avoid distractions, but that also makes it easier to plan for a cost like Kuechly’s.

“As I said in the press conference after we signed Cam, we’ve got a fixed cost now,” Gettleman said. “Of course, the negative guys says, ‘Gee, Cam is 13 percent of their cap.’ Well as the cap moves up, his percentage is going to come down.”

Newton’s deal was one of seven extensions Gettleman handed out this offseason. Kuechly would make eight. So while Gettleman may still snag a guy or two from off the street, most of the big business has already been taken care of.

“The way the NFL is designed, you can’t keep everybody. You have to decide who your core is, who you’re going to keep,” Gettleman said.

“Then you have to draft well. If you don’t draft well, you’re going to always be playing catch up, so that’s the responsibility we have.”

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Monday’s Pre-Camping with Dave Gettleman Posting Schedule

8 a.m. — Cam Newton’s Offseason

10 a.m. — Negotiations

12 p.m. — Josh Norman

2 p.m. — Current Salary Cap Status

4 p.m. — 2016 Comp Picks

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