Carolina Panthers: How defense salaries look with NFL’s escrow proposal
By Dean Jones
OLB. SHAQTHOMPSON. Scouting Report. CAROLINA PANTHERS. 2. player. 87. Pick Analysis
Carolina Panthers Player No. 2: Shaq Thompson (OLB) – $4 million base – $2.6 million with reduction
Shaq Thompson comes into 2020 with leadership expectations after a number of veteran departures. There is nothing to suggest he is not more than capable of such a feat. But the NFL’s escrow proposal would see the outside linebacker’s salary dip from $4 million to just $2.6 million.
How Thompson evolves during the season will be crucial to the Panthers’ chances of success. And with long-term financial security already attained. It is unlikely this will have any great impact on his performance.
CAROLINA PANTHERS. STEPHEN WEATHERLY. 3. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player. DE
Carolina Panthers Player No. 3: Stephen Weatherly (DE) – $2.25 million base – $1.46 million with reduction
Stephen Weatherly was arguably the most important free-agent pickup on defense for the Carolina Panthers. And his transformation from seventh-round pick to the prominent starter is now complete.
The defensive end would make $1.46 million in base salary if the plans come to fruition. But Weatherly has stated on more than one occasion that opportunity rather than money was the key component in his eventual decision to depart the Minnesota Vikings.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CB. CAROLINA PANTHERS. 4. 87. ELIAPPLE. player
Carolina Panthers Player No. 4: Eli Apple (CB) – $2 million base – $1.3 million with reduction
Cornerback remains an area of concern despite the free-agent signing of Eli Apple. The former No. 10 overall pick has flattered to deceive during his NFL career so far. And this appears to be his final chance to make a starting spot his own.
His salary would come down to $1.3 million with a potential escrow in 2020. Apple has made a little more than $15 million throughout his career. So he does have that to fall back on.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. S. CAROLINA PANTHERS. TREBOSTON. 5. player. 87
Carolina Panthers Player No. 5: Tre Boston (S) – $1.16 million base – $754,000 with reduction
Although Tre Boston signed a new three-year deal with the Carolina Panthers this offseason, he is set to make just $1.16 million in base salary in 2020. This represents a significant bargain for the organization given the way the player performed during the first campaign of his second spell.
Boston was especially clutch in the fourth quarter of games. But the safety would see a reduction in earnings to $754,000 if the plan eventually gets the green light.