The Carolina Panthers may want to extend their stalwart tackle soon.
The Carolina Panthers have looked to revamp their offensive line under head coach Dave Canales, adding guard Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency last offseason to protect quarterback Bryce Young.
Now, they are expected to go into the 2025 season with the same offensive line as they had in 2024: Ikem Ekwonu, Lewis, Austin Corbett, Hunt, and Taylor Moton.
However, that group will have a key free agent in 2025, as Moton is entering the final year of a four-year, $71.4 million extension he signed in 2021. Moton has been an eight-year starter at tackle for the Panthers, being a reliable player and one of Carolina’s best in recent seasons.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the season, Moton believes he still has a few strong years in him, so another contract could make sense for him and the Panthers.
“Looking forward, I do believe I have another contract in me,” Moton said, via The Athletic. “But right now my focus is on the 2025 season and making sure I do whatever I can to have the best season I can for everybody involved.”
Additionally, the right tackle carries a hefty $31.3 million cap hit for the 2025 season, so an extension would surely lower that figure, while giving Moton more guaranteed money.
What could a potential extension look like for Moton?
Baseline numbers for a Taylor Moton extension
Age isn’t as big a factor for offensive linemen, so Moton should still be in line to earn a solid contract if the Panthers want to extend him this offseason.
Taylor Decker, Ronnie Stanley, Garrett Bolles, Jake Matthews, Lane Johnson, and Trent Williams are the tackles who signed deals worth at least $20 million per year at age 30 or older.
Now, Moton may be a level below some of the names above, but he’s reliable and healthy, playing in at least 16 games in every season but the 2024 campaign, when he played in 14 games.
Stanley and Decker both signed three-year, $60 million deals, with the former signing this offseason. With the constant rise of the salary cap, Moton could earn a raise from his previous contract, which was restructured to add another year to his contract.
I don’t know that Moton’s new deal will reach the $20.5 million or $22.5 million that Bolles and Matthews received per year, respectively, but he could look to achieve certain numbers in those contracts as he looks for long-term security.
Ultimately, it seems in the best interest of both the Panthers and Moton to reach an extension before he hits free agency. So, let’s break down the numbers.
Projecting a Taylor Moton deal for the Panthers
Given his age, a two or three-year deal makes sense for Moton, especially as he’s proven to be healthy throughout his career and has expressed a desire to stay in Carolina.
The glaring $31.4 million cap hit is another big reason to get the deal done now, as adding years to Moton’s contract would allow Carolina to spread out the money over the remaining years with a restructure.
Placing Moton in the range of Tytus Howard, Alaric Jackson, and Spencer Brown makes sense, given the age disparity and the tier above him.
Given that, a salary just below $20 million per year on a multi-year deal seems reasonable on an extension. As for the guarantees, Moton should get the first year’s salary and his signing bonus fully guaranteed. A roster bonus for the second season and third could be in the mix as well, providing flexibility on both sides.
Projection: 2 years, $39 million, $28 million in total guarantees