It wasn’t looking like any designated Franchise players would get long-term extensions when the sun rose this morning.
But remember what I said about deadlines making deals happen?
Panthers and OT Taylor Moton agreed to a mammoth four-year, $72 million extension that includes $43 million guaranteed at signing, per sources.
And so there is at least one blockbuster deal that beats today's deadline for franchise players to sign extensions.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 15, 2021
It’s a four-year contract worth $72 million for Panthers offensive tackle Taylor Moton, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $43 million in guarantees upon signing, which is a hefty chunk of change for the 26-year-old right tackle. Moton was a second-round pick (64th overall) in 2017 and hasn’t missed a start since the 2018 season began. All in all, good on the Panthers for extending a lineman who clears holes for Christian McCaffrey and protects for whomever the quarterback-of-the-future will be.
Right tackles don’t tend to get paid, but Moton appears to be the exception to the rule. Among right tackles, Moton’s deal is tied for second-most in total value and average per year, and on par at the top with Ryan Ramczyk’s guarantees upon signing.
So, in other words, if you’re holding out hope for a Bears-Allen Robinson II extension, just know it will probably take a figure in the ballpark around where the top-5 receivers are right now. The time is ticking. The 3 p.m. CT deadline is less than 50 minutes away.