What happens if the Carolina Panthers cannot extend Taylor Moton?

What problems could emerge if the Carolina Panthers cannot extend their stud right tackle Taylor Moton before the franchise tag deadline?

We are now just two days away from finding out whether Taylor Moton and the Carolina Panthers can come to an agreement on a long-term deal. Placing the outstanding right tackle on the franchise tag was the right call to make ahead of free agency, but tying him down long-term is something else they simply have to do at the earliest possible opportunity.

Moton has been the one shining light within protection that’s gone through some serious problems over the last two seasons. They crumbled under pressure more often than not in 2020 and the Panthers didn’t exactly make this their top priority during free agency or the 2021 NFL Draft to further enhance concerns.

There is a chance that young players like Deonte Brown, Brady Christensen, and maybe even David Moore can become solid starters. But first-year pros tend to go through some growing pains.

Less is expected of journeymen Pat Elflein and Cam Erving – two of the strangest signings made by Carolina over the offseason.

This makes it all the more important for the Panthers and Moton to come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. If the former second-round pick isn’t the most important player on the roster, he’s definitely in the top five.

Rarely do contract negotiations go according to plan. Especially when Moton is going to command a substantial amount after three years of exceptional performances on the edge.

Ryan Ramczyk of the New Orleans Saints set the benchmark. Whether Moton can top this salary on his contract is another matter.

If the Panthers cannot get this done with their best offensive lineman, things could get pretty complicated down the road.

Taylor Moton is only going to get better with the Carolina Panthers in 2021.

Moton is only going to get better in 2021. This means that his demands could go even higher than they are currently.

Even though the salary cap is going to soar in the coming years, the Panthers have a lot of gifted young players who all need paying very soon.

The likes of Donte Jackson and Robby Anderson are out of contract next spring. Brian Burns and D.J. Moore could also play their way into bumper extensions, so it’s a precarious situation Carolina must handle with extreme care.

Moton is not the type of character to cause problems if things don’t work out. He’ll just go about his business in a professional manner and let things pan out however they’re supposed to.

Not getting a contract sorted out in the next couple of days before July 15 would put Carolina between a rock and a hard place.

It would certainly make things very difficult for them next spring – although the organization could tag him again. So avoiding any unnecessary complications is the best route to go down even though they’re running out of time.

Carolina has let plenty of talent walk through the door in recent years. If the same happens to an indispensable member of the roster such as Moton, it might just set them back considerably.