TE Greg Olsen was the first domino to fall. The 3-year, $22.5 million extension he signed in March assured he’ll be a Panther through 2018. Then came QB Cam Newton. He’s in through 2020 after inking a 5-year, $103.8 million extension on Tuesday.It’d stand to reason that LB Thomas Davis would be next in line, but it may not play out that way. According to a league source, the Panthers’ most immediate priority now is getting LB Luke Kuechly locked in.
Carolina owes Kuechly just $4 million this season and $11.1 million for his fifth-year option in 2016, so it’s not like they need to be in a rush to get something done. But now that the team knows Newton’s numbers, there’s no reason to delay, either.”The biggest thing [getting Newton’s deal done] does for us, it gives us a fixed cost, and you know what you’re dealing with,” GM Dave Gettleman said Tuesday. “We’ve been very intentional and thoughtful about how we’ve been spending our money, and we’ll continue to do that.”It’ll take far less money for the Panthers to keep Kuechly than it took to pay their QB, but the 2013 Defensive Player of the Year will still command a big payday.Green Bay OLB Clay Matthews, who signed a 5-year, $66 million extension in 2013, is the NFL’s highest-paid player at his position. Houston’s Brian Cushing has the richest contract of any full-time ILB, making $52.5 million in a 6-year deal he also signed in 2013.But just like with Newton, the Panthers are going to have to write Kuechly a hefty check, and it’s something they’ve been planning for since Gettleman arrived in 2013. It’s why he’s ignored calls to build a Super Bowl winner in March. That Kuechly could get a new deal before Davis is a bit surprising, though.Davis wants an extension, and the Panthers want to give him one, but so far this offseason, the two sides haven’t been able to land on an agreeable figure. If he doesn’t get an extension heading into 2015, Davis could head elsewhere as a free agent next year. Of course, that’s something he’s repeatedly said he’ll never do. So for now, the two sides are at a standoff.Other speculation this offseason has centered around DE Charles Johnson and his $20.2 million cap hit, but the team currently has no intention to renegotiate his contract for a third straight season.The Panthers also want to see another solid season out of CB Josh Norman before extending his rookie deal, and DTs Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short could potentially see extensions in 2016 as well. It all may sound like too much, but Newton has a relatively friendly salary cap deal, and the league’s rising cap is a tide that will help lift all boats.For now, the attention is on Kuechly. The Panthers don’t need to make it happen this summer, but they want to, and that piece of the puzzle could fall into place quicker than many expected with Newton now out of the way.
With Cam Newton Extended, Panthers Focus on Luke Kuechly
Posted on Author Bill VothCategories NewsTags Cam Newton, Charles Johnson, Dave Gettleman, Greg Olsen, Josh Norman, Kawann Short, Luke Kuechly, Star Lotulelei, Thomas Davis
Pay the man, Luuuuke
Pay the man, Luuuuke
looks like we really aren’t shopping at the dollar store this offseason lol
Yeah looks like Gettleman took the Amex to Tiffany’s after all
looks like we really aren’t shopping at the dollar store this offseason lol
Yeah looks like Gettleman took the Amex to Tiffany’s after all
Gentlemen has to keep the BEST players and, yes Luke was great, but TD was the BEST player on our defense. Have to pay him in my opinion
So I agree that TD is a great guy and a great player but over the last three years, Luke had been the best player on the team by a very large margin and one of the best in the NFL.
Gentlemen has to keep the BEST players and, yes Luke was great, but TD was the BEST player on our defense. Have to pay him in my opinion
So I agree that TD is a great guy and a great player but over the last three years, Luke had been the best player on the team by a very large margin and one of the best in the NFL.
I understand wanting to see Norman prove it over a longer time period, but don’t you think they are also taking a major risk by waiting? He could drive his market value up substantially
I understand wanting to see Norman prove it over a longer time period, but don’t you think they are also taking a major risk by waiting? He could drive his market value up substantially