CHARLOTTE — The Panthers created some more salary cap flexibility on Wednesday as they head into free agency.
The team restructured the contract of punter Johnny Hekker, clearing some cap space for next year.
The 33-year-old Hekker signed a three-year contract last offseason and remained one of the league's top punters.
The former All-Decade pick at his position, Hekker averaged 48.5 yards per punt last season and landed 39 punts inside the 20-yard-line, his highest total in that category since he had 51 in 2016 for the Rams.
Hekker holds a number of NFL records and is on the NFL's 2010's All-Decade team after playing 10 seasons with the Rams (2012-21).
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker, right, reacts after a failed fake punt-attempt gave the Seattle Seahawks possession of the ball in the first half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker warms up before an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Arizona Cardinals in Inglewood, Calif., Monday, Jan. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts during an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts against the Cincinnati Bengals during the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts the ball during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Monday, Dec. 13, 2021 in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams won 30-23. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) attempts to throw a pass on a botched snap during the first half of the NFL Super Bowl 56 football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Feb. 13, 2022, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts the ball during the NFL Super Bowl LIII football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019 in Atlanta. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts in warm ups prior to an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams won 34-14. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) punts the ball during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 29, 2020 in Inglewood, Calif. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Los Angeles Rams' Matt Gay (1) kicks field goal before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Monday, Nov. 23, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Holding is Johnny Hekker. (AP Photo/Mark LoMoglio)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) catches a snap before an NFL football game against the New York Jets Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
This is a 2020 photo of Johnny Hekker of the Los Angeles Rams NFL football team. This image reflects the Los Angeles Rams active roster as of Thursday, July 30, 2020 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Los Angeles Rams' Johnny Hekker (6) makes a 65-yard punt during the second half of the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker smiles on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Thursday, Dec. 15, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund)
Los Angeles Rams' Greg Zuerlein (4) warms up with Johnny Hekker before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker (6) celebrates during an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, in Los Angeles. (NFL Photos via AP)
Los Angeles Rams' Johnny Hekker (6) warms up before the NFL Super Bowl 53 football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New England Patriots, Sunday, Feb. 3, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/David Goldman)
Los Angeles Rams punter Johnny Hekker kicks the ball during an NFL football game Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, Sept. 16, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
