Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson isn't optimistic about the progress of labor talks and won't re-sign any of the team's own free agents until a new collective bargaining agreement is in place, Darin Gantt of The Charlotte Observer reports.

Richardson made his comments as part of a "State of the Franchise" press conference.

Among the key free agents the Panthers have to make a decision on this off-season are running back DeAngelo Williams, center Ryan Kalil, defensive end Charles Johnson, linebacker Thomas Davis, and cornerback Richard Marshall.