According to Joe Person, the Panthers have extended an offer to free agent DT Dwan Edwards for a one year contract that would bring the veteran back to Carolina.

From Person's latest post at Inside the Panthers:

Edwards said Thursday he is weighing several contract offers, including a 1-year offer from the cap-strapped Panthers. ... Edwards would not identify his other suitors, but said one was a playoff team last season. He said he has been offered longer deals than the Panthers', but would not discuss particulars.

Not trying to be a negative nancy here, but if Edwards really does have other offers on the table and one of them is from a playoff team from last season, then he will probably not be back in Carolina. I can't imagine a veteran of his tenure turning down a multi-year deal with a playoff team to come back to a squad who may or may not compete for the playoffs in 2013 with only one year guaranteed.

It's certainly not out of the realm of possibility that Edwards loves Carolina so much that he's willing to shun all other offers to stay, but it appears that the Panthers' lack of cap flexibility is going to cost them one of their better defensive players from their 2012 roster. With Edwards all but gone, the Panthers will have to explore other options to find a defensive tackle for 2013 and will probably look for an aging veteran who is willing to play on a one year deal or find someone in the draft.

As always, stay tuned to CSR for any updates to this story as we will provide any new details when they are available.