We're six days into free agency and the only guy the Carolina Panthers have added who played for another team last year is a Gradkowski. And it wasn't even Bruce, the career backup quarterback most NFL fans have at least heard of.
In case you're getting a bit antsy, it's time for another reminder — this is how Dave Gettleman rolls.
"I’m methodical. I’m intentional," the Panthers' general manager said last month at the combine.
So someone like Gino Gradkowski, who won't excite the fan base in March, is an important part of the Panthers' process. They needed a backup center/guard. Now they don't.
Currently, their free agent agent focus is finding depth on the defensive line.
Quinton Coples visited two weeks ago, but according to a source, the Panthers were "lukewarm" on the former Jets' first-round pick. That he reportedly met Monday with the Rams means you can likely cross him off the list.
Before B.J. Raji announced his semiretirement Monday, an ESPN report said the Panthers were interested in the Packers defensive tackle. If they were, it never got to the point where the two sides had even set up a meeting.
A face-to-face did happen in Charlotte this weekend between the Panthers and the recently-released Paul Soliali. According to a source, that visit went well, but the financials are a sticking point — for now.
UPDATE: The Panthers agreed to terms with Soliai on Monday night
As of Monday afternoon, the NFLPA's website listed the Panthers with nearly $21 million worth of space under the salary cap. But they didn't carve that out to sign marquee free agents like Mario Williams or Eric Weddle.
Sure, they would have liked to have reunited Weddle with coach Ron Rivera, but they also figured his price would be too rich for their blood. "Methodical" and "intentional" isn't giving a 31-year-old safety a $26-million contract like the Ravens reportedly did on Monday.
If Gettleman's going to hand out a big check, it's not going to be for the Weddles of the world. The Panthers would rather reward their own instead of paying someone who played elsewhere. They'll eventually add some low-cost guys, including along the defensive line, but the No. 1 piece of business this offseason is locking in someone who's already there.
Kawann Short, you're up.