5 Panthers players who could secure record-breaking contracts
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players could be in line to secure record-breaking contracts in the coming years if they reach their potential?
The Carolina Panthers have a wealth of dynamic young talent on their roster. If certain influential figures continue to develop in encouraging fashion, then team owner David Tepper will be shelling out some big bucks to keep them around in the not-too-distant future.
This is something the billionaire will be more than happy to do if the Panthers are successful on the field. Tepper is the league’s richest owner and has already invested an exceptional amount to lay the foundations for greatness. But putting it all together is the next objective for a team that is clearly heading in the right direction.
The salary cap is only going to soar in the coming years as broadcasting revenue goes through the roof. Couple this with fans coming back into the stands next season and things are looking up for those players heading for new deals.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at five Panthers players who could be in line for record-breaking deals in the future.
Player No. 1
Christian McCaffrey – Carolina Panthers RB
The Panthers gave Christian McCaffrey a bumper four-year, $64 million deal with a $21 million signing bonus and $38 million guaranteed last year. Which is the largest-ever contract ever signed by a running back.
McCaffrey will be 29-years-old when his current deal expires. But if he is still performing at an elite level, the former first-round pick might be looking for something even bigger before that point.
The Stanford product will have plenty of mileage by then. McCaffrey remains the focal point of Carolina’s offense despite turning out in just three games in 2020 due to injury, so if the Panthers can take some pressure off while keeping the player’s current production the better their long-term chances will be.
Another bumper deal would come with significant risk. But in terms of running backs, McCaffrey might just be the exception to the normal rule.