Eh, long term, the Panthers are in better position than the Jets solely because I think Cam is still better than every QB the Jets have on their roster.
The cap quagmire gets solved with the cap going up and Hardy coming off the books, we get some half-decent offensive linemen and safeties in via FA and the draft. Someone else is calling the plays instead of Shula and we're all golden. We also have the luxury of playing in a division where everywhere else will either be talent-bereft for a while (Falcons, Bucs) or placed in cap hell because of big contracts (Saints) and not playing in the same division with the Pats (who win 12 games+ every year).
If Cam pulls his head out of his ass, this team could be back in good contending shape as soon as next year.