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ESPN Staff Writer- Covered Panthers, NFL for 11 years
- More than 25 years experience covering NFL, college football and NASCAR
- Joined ESPN in 2006
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ESPN Insider- Field Yates has previous experience interning with the New England Patriots on both their coaching and scouting staffs. A graduate of Wesleyan University (CT), he is a regular contributor to ESPN Boston's Patriots coverage and ESPN Insider.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers free safety Charles Godfrey has restructured his deal to reduce his 2014 salary cap number by more than $4 million, a league source told ESPN.com.
Godfrey, who suffered a season-ending ACL injury in the second game last season, was scheduled to count $7.1 million against the cap.
According to a league source, Godfrey's base salary was reduced from $5 million to $750,000 with the possibility to make up to $1.7 million in roster bonuses of $106,250 per game.
The Panthers signed former Atlanta safety Thomas DeCoud as insurance during free agency. DeCoud will count $1,418,750 against the cap this season.
Godfrey had three years left on his deal that would have counted $7.1 million against the 2014 and 2015 cap and $6.4 million against the $2016 cap.
Had Godfrey not restructured, the Panthers had the option of cutting him, with a June 1 designation to save $5.1 million against the cap.
Coach Ron Rivera said at the NFL owners meeting he wanted to keep Godfrey, suggesting the third-round pick in the 2008 draft could play nickel back as well as safety.
Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, gave Godfrey a strong endorsement recently during offseason workouts.
"A guy that has been very constant, is going to work hard, he's knows what's going on and I just generally enjoy being around Charles,'' Kuechly said. "So it will be good to have him back.''