Assessing McCaffrey’s market value ahead of contract talks
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers have reportedly opened contract talks with star running back Christian McCaffrey, but what is the player worth in the current market?
Running back Christian McCaffrey is the undisputed focal point of the Carolina Panthers’ offense and wants to be paid accordingly.
He is entering the final year of his rookie deal and is now after a multi-year extension that is going to make him a wealthy man. The Panthers have reportedly opened up discussions with the player and are keen on a long term commitment.
McCaffrey has been nothing short of a revelation since arriving in Carolina. He is the best three-down back in the NFL and has produced mind-blowing statistics over the last two seasons.
Although the Panthers struggled last season on their way to a 5-11 record, the same cannot be said of McCaffrey. The player became a threat to score every time he touched the football and this is a trend that is expected to continue long into the future.
There is nothing McCaffrey cannot do with the ball in his hands. He is a frightening proposition to cover and the last thing Carolina’s decision-makers will want is for the player to become disgruntled with his current contractual predicament.
A long-term extension does seem like a formality at this point due to the player becoming an indispensable member of the roster. But what is McCaffrey worth in today’s market?