The Panthers still want to get a long-term deal done with their star right tackle Taylor Moton. Time is running out, though. The team has until 4:00 p.m. ET tomorrow to sign Moton to a new contract, otherwise he’ll play out the 2021 season under the franchise tag, which will cost them $13,754,000.
According to Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, Carolina still has interest but Moton is prepared to play under the tag, so there’s work to be done.
#Panthers have interest in extending RT Taylor Moton, but Moton has been prepared to play on the franchise tag for quite some time, so there'd be a gap to bridge, per sources. Teams have two hours before deadline — many tagged players trending toward no deal barring change.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 13, 2021
We’ve been banging the table for a Moton extension for at least a year and a half here at Panthers Wire. It’s clear that he’s earned all the money that’s coming to him and is one of the game’s best right tackles.
So, what’s the holdup?
It’s worth mentioning that Moton was brought in by a previous general manager (two GMs ago, in fact), so it’s possible that Scott Fitterer and Matt Rhule don’t value him as much as Dave Gettleman might have. If that seems like a stupid reason not to extend a quality player that’s because it is.
It’s unlikely that the Panthers don’t value Moton or think he’s not worth keeping around. However, there’s a good chance they’re far apart on the numbers. According to Spotrac, Moton’s market value is now nearly $20 million per year. That’s a massive investment, even for a very accomplished offensive tackle.
Moton should get his money, but it sounds like Carolina has a backup plan in the works in case Moton winds up walking in free agency.
When the Panthers used a third-round pick on offensive lineman Brady Christensen, we assumed they’d be slotting him as a left tackle. After all, that’s the position he played his whole career at BYU. Christensen thrived on the blindside, only allowing three pressures and one sack last season.
Brady Christensen in 2020:
💪Pass-blocking snaps: 385
💪Pressures allowed: 3
💪QB sacks allowed: 1 pic.twitter.com/LP48WvpPWn— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 8, 2021
However, it sounds like Rhule and Fitterer see Christensen as more of a right tackle. If that’s the case, the only way he’ll see a significant snap count is by replacing Moton.
Hopefully that’s just a negotiating tactic, or the Panthers have something else in mind. If Christensen develops into a solid starting tackle and Moton sticks around, a major piece of the puzzle for building a contender will be in place.
