Carolina Panthers cutting it fine with potential Taylor Moton extension

The Carolina Panthers are cutting it fine when it comes to a potential extension for stud right tackle Taylor Moton this offseason.

We are now just a few short days away from the deadline for contract extensions involving players on the franchise tag. This means time is running out if the Carolina Panthers want to tie down their stud right tackle Taylor Moton.

There is little doubt the Panthers made the right call by putting the tag on Moton, who is widely regarded as one of the best edge protectors in the business after an exceptionally consistent spell over the last three years.

Both sides are reportedly keen on working out something more long-term. Even though nothing has been confirmed as yet.

Moton is Carolina’s most productive offensive lineman, by far. So they could do with giving him the financial security he is looking for heading into the 2021 season.

No player likes turning out on the franchise tag. One doesn’t have to look far throughout league history to see the complications that can emerge, with high-profile figures such as Dak Prescott and Bud Dupree going down with serious injuries in 2020 that might have harmed their chances of a bumper contract.

Fortunately for the pair, things worked out fine.

But that isn’t always the case.

Taylor Moton has proven his worth to the Carolina Panthers.

Moton was probably casting an envious glance in the direction of Ryan Ramczyk last week, who got a record-breaking deal for a right tackle from the New Orleans Saints that included a $19 million signing bonus and $60.2 million guaranteed.

This gives the former second-round pick a benchmark during whatever negotiations transpire in the coming days. Although expecting to break records might be pushing it a bit in all honesty.

That being said, Moton has proven his worth as a top-five player at the position and deserves to be paid accordingly. If terms cannot be agreed upon before the deadline, then it leaves the Panthers facing the prospect of losing the Western Michigan product next summer.

They could tag him again, obviously. But that is going to cost them.

Plus there are some upcoming 2022 free agents that could be candidates for the franchise tag with an exceptional season next time around.

Carolina knows that time is of the essence.

Talks will probably ramp up in the next day or two in the hope Moton signs on the dotted line. But there shouldn’t be any complications from a playing standpoint if he does end up playing on the tag.

Moton will make a fully guaranteed $13.75 million in 2021. Spotrac projects the player to command an annual salary of $19.8 million on a five-year, $99.22 million deal. A jaw-dropping figure in the current financial climate.

If something is going to happen, then things need to move a little quicker than they have been of late. According to Joseph Person of The Athletic, it’s something both parties are still working towards. Although the July 15 deadline is now firmly in sight.

Keeping one of the premier tackles in football long-term will not only enhance Carolina’s chances on the field. It will also avoid any unnecessary speculation throughout the campaign that will take some attention off the task at hand.

The Panthers are cutting it fine. But as long as something gets done with Moton, nobody will care too much.