When general manager Dave Gettleman came to Carolina, the Panthers were $16 million over the salary cap. Three seasons later, they'll head into a league year with almost as much under the cap.

Per multiple reports Friday night, the 2016 salary cap has been set at $155.27 million. That's a bump of almost $12 million from last year, the league's biggest increase since 2006, when the cap went from $85.5 million to $102 million.

Here's how the numbers shake out for the Panthers:

2016 salary cap ($155.27 million) + Carolina's 2015 carryover ($3.73 million) - Carolina's top 51 2016 contracts ($129.45 million, according to Spotrac) = $29.55 million in cap space

Cornerback Josh Norman's expected franchise tag of $13.95 million will eat nearly half that, leaving the Panthers around $15.6 million to work with when the new league year begins on Mar. 9.

Of course, it's important to remember Gettleman wants to have at least $5-$7 million going into the season, plus:

"You guys have seen my act for three years. I’m methodical. I’m intentional. And that’s the approach I’m going to take whether we’re $16 million over or we’re $25 (million) under. I’m not going to change. I think it’s kind of working."