How much will Curtis Samuel command in 2021 free agency?
By Dean Jones
Curtis Samuel’s market value
Curtis Samuel has clearly outplayed his rookie deal. The former second-round pick is making just $1.22 million in base salary and is counting a little more than $2 million against the Carolina Panthers salary cap, which represents incredible value for money.
That won’t be the case for much longer.
Players with the ability of Samuel don’t come around every day. He has a rare ability to impact the game all over the field and makes his presence felt in the backfield on occasions to further enhance his overall influence.
Samuel has accumulated 2,148 all-purpose yards and 19 touchdowns during his career so far. He is still just 24-years-old, so the best is definitely still to come.
According to Spotrac, Samuel is set to command an annual salary of $6.5 million on a three-year, $19.33 million contract in free agency. This is something the Panthers could afford, but their chances would diminish significantly if the receiver eventually hit the market.
Money isn’t everything when it comes to a decision like this, but it sure does help.
Teams always tend to overpay for players of interest. Considering Samuel’s age, talent, and potential to get even better with more responsibility on his shoulders, somewhere in the region of $9-10 million a year isn’t out of the realms of possibility.