Panthers News: Taylor Moton named in 2021 All-Free Agent team
By Dean Jones
Panthers news-flash, Taylor Moton is one of the most talented players out of contract this offseason.
The Carolina Panthers news team will be hoping for something good to report regarding Taylor Moton this offseason. The stud right tackle is out of contract in 2021 and his production over the last two years is more than enough evidence for a lucrative extension when it’s time to begin negotiations.
This is something the Panthers haven’t done as yet. But judging by what we’ve seen from Moton so far this season, they would be foolish to leave it much longer.
The former second-round pick is now firmly established as one of the NFL’s premier edge protectors and is expected to command somewhere in the region of $16.3 million per year on his next deal, according to Spotrac.
Make no mistake, this is a good investment.
Carolina might have other holes that need to be filled. But, in Moton, they have someone who they can depend on almost every down to produce the goods, which a rare commodity in today’s NFL.
Panthers news: Taylor Moton’s high praise from The Touchdown Wire.
Doug Farrar of The Touchdown Wire also holds Moton in the highest regard, naming him in his 2021 All-Free Agent team ahead of what is going to be another intriguing free agency period next spring that is sure to bring with it plenty of drama.
"“Moton isn’t the biggest name on this list, but he’ll be a notable free agent based on performance — if he gets that far. He’s allowed just nine sacks in his four-year career, including just two this season, he hasn’t given up a single pressure over the last three weeks against the Buccaneers, Lions, and Vikings, and in Week 5 against the Falcons, he came up with what has to be the most disrespectful block of the 2020 Season against defensive lineman John Cominsky on a 17-yard Mike Davis run. Moton has the right attitude and aptitude to be a top-level right tackle, and he’s going to get paid correspondingly in 2021.”"
The chances of Carolina letting Moton go appear slim. They will no doubt start negotiations almost immediately after the campaign concludes and there is even a small chance this might be done even sooner.
If terms cannot be reached between all parties involved before free agency begins, then slapping the franchise tag on Moton to prevent him from testing the market is the smart way to go. The Panthers lost some prominent locker room names by choice or otherwise leading up to the 2020 campaign and letting the former Western Michigan standout slip through the net is going to have huge ramifications.
It might end up costing Marty Hurney his job.
Moton is arguably the best in the business at what he does. The player is the highest rated Panthers on Pro Football Focus at the bye week with a grade of 82.6, which is a further example of just how productive he’s been despite the obvious lack of quality around him.
This is a critical offseason for the Panthers and one where they need to get almost every decision right. Laying the foundations for a successful future is one thing. But taking those next steps into postseason contention is the most difficult element of all.
Tying Moton down to a multi-deal wouldn’t solve all their problems. However, it would send out a positive message that could springboard them to bigger and better things in the future.