CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers need to add speed while improving on the offensive line, at receiver and in the secondary. While obvious to most, those were the biggest takeaways from Tuesday’s end-of-the-season press conference with coach Ron Rivera and general manager Dave Gettleman.

The Panthers are in much better shape than they were heading into last offseason, when they had 22 unrestricted free agents. They have half that number this year, and they have more flexibility under the salary cap.

“Last year we were shopping in the dollar store. This year we may be able to move up in class a little bit,” Gettleman quipped.

The Panthers are expected to be around $9 million under the cap this spring, and that is before they make any cost-cutting moves. One of those could involve running back DeAngelo Williams, whose career in Carolina may be over after nine seasons.

“I need to talk to DeAngelo. He’s a pro’s pro. He had a tough season,” Gettleman said. “The obvious: The loss of his mom was very, very difficult. He only played six games this year. It was tough for him.”

The Panthers’ most important decision this offseason surrounds Cam Newton. The fifth-year quarterback is heading into his option year, and both sides would like to work out a long-term extension. But what Newton wants may not be what the Panthers are willing to give.

Asked how Newton needs to improve, Rivera said, “Consistency. Consistency. That’s the biggest thing more than anything else. That’s the biggest word as far as he’s concerned in my eyes.

“Whether it’s his footwork or being consistent with his throws, putting it on the right side where it needs to be, putting it away from the defender, putting it right in the guy’s chest. Those are the things he’s got to continue to develop and get better at.”

Despite a two-month winless streak, the Panthers rallied from a 3-8-1 record to win the NFC South and a playoff game for the first time since 2005. But for the second straight season, they were knocked out in the divisional round.

As they head into their fifth season with Rivera and Newton, it is time for the Panthers to go from playoff participant to postseason threat.

“We took another step in the playoffs. We won a playoff game and got into the divisional round,” Rivera said. “Now we’ve got to take another step. And hopefully it’s a big step.

“I think we can take a big step and put ourselves in position to win the Super Bowl. The reason why? I think we’re close.”

NOTES: Duron Carter, the intriguing son of Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter, visited with the Panthers on Wednesday. Duron, 23, spent the last two years playing with the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, totaling 124 receptions, 1,939 yards and 12 touchdowns. … The Panthers signed 12 players to futures contracts: G Derek Dennis, G Tyronne Green, TE Kevin Greene, WR Stephen Hill, WR Marcus Lucas, S Kimario McFadden, TE Mike McNeill, LB Horace Miller, RB Darrin Reaves, DT Micanor Regis, T Martin Wallace, CB Lou Young.