With most of the contract talk surrounding the Carolina Panthers this offseason centering on cornerback Josh Norman and defensive tackle Kawann Short, few noticed the team's Pro Bowl center was heading into the final year of his deal. That's probably because no one expected Ryan Kalil to play anywhere else.
The Panthers made that assumption official Monday by signing Kalil to an extension that runs through the 2018 season. According to NFL Media's Rand Getlin, the two-year deal is worth $16.75 million with $13 million guaranteed.
"I think it's something that a lot of guys start to think about toward the end of their career — where they're going to finish — and for this organization to give me that opportunity to finish my career here means the world to me," Kalil said on a conference call with local media. "I couldn't imagine finishing my career in a better place than this franchise."
The last time Kalil put pen to paper was during the Panthers' spending spree following the 2011 lockout. A 6-year, $49-million contract made him the highest-paid center in the league. He was set to count $10.3 million against the cap in 2016, but the extension should somewhat soften that hit while keeping the foundation of the offensive line intact.
“Ryan is still playing at an extremely high level and was very deservedly an All-Pro again in 2015,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement.
“On and off the field, Ryan is a pro’s pro and we’re all very excited about this.”
A captain for the past three seasons, Kalil has been a dependable leader for young guys like guard Trai Turner and Andrew Norwell. Since 2009, he's made five Pro Bowls and played in 100 of 112 possible regular-season games. All but one of those DNPs came in 2012 when he suffered a season-ending foot injury.
A second-round pick in 2007, Kalil will be 33 when his new extension runs out after his 12th season in Carolina.
"I think a lot of guys understand that's not the norm and it's a rare situation," Kalil said. "I think a lot of guys dream of that — of wanting to get into double digits in their career and stay in one place and to be part of a great place like the Panthers.
"I mean, I'm definitely closer to the end that I am to the beginning. But I still feel like I have some good football left in me and I want to do everything I can and give every ounce left of football I have left to this franchise that's been so great to me and my family."