I think it can get done, but will likely come down to the wire if it does.
From my perspective, it looks like the team will have to choose between spending market value on Top 4 D, or keeping Sam Bennett and going bargain bin hunting at the blue line again. My personal preference would be the latter, but the thing is, I am not Bill Zito. My preference for Bennett and the rummage sale is influenced by my observation that Bill Zito and his staff are absolutely unparalleled at finding value pickups on defense.
One thing that does give me a little bit of hope is the knowledge that this team seems to genuinely understand the dynamics of roster construction and the salary cap. I have said many times over the years that one should never count on numbers (i.e. the salary cap) always going up, but I think there are a lot of outside factors right now that indicate the cap will indeed be seeing a big bump over the next five or six years. If that holds, the Panthers will be in EXCELLENT position going forward with these contracts, and are in better position to offer Bennett a little more than the team would have liked.
We'll see. I'm ready for disappointment, but I think we can all be pleasantly surprised.