Back in January, Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti took at stab at what the Panthers would have to fork over in a Cam Newton contract extension. Ginnitti’s guess: 5 years, $108 million with $51 million guaranteed.He stuck with those numbers a day before the Carolina quarterback signed his 5-year deal worth $103.8 million with $54 million guaranteed. While the prediction wasn’t exact, it was pretty close, so it’s worth checking out Spotrac’s latest forecast for linebacker Luke Kuechly.
Their prediction: A five-year extension worth $58 million. Add on the $11 million he’s guaranteed to make in 2016, and Kuechly’s average annual salary through 2021 would be $11.5 million. That seems fair.Kuechly isn’t going to be the league’s top-paid linebacker. The $101 million contract Kansas City gave Justin Houston last week is apples compared to Kuechly’s oranges since Houston’s is a pass rusher’s deal. But $11.5 million would set a record for the highest average given to an inside linebacker. Former Panther Jon Beason and retired 49er Patrick Willis still hold that mark at $10 million.Of current players, Pittsburgh’s Lawrence Timmons leads inside linebackers at $9.6 million a year.As BBR reported in early June, the Panthers want to get Kuechly locked in as soon as this summer. While many assume his deal will follow the same time frame as Newton’s, general manager Dave Gettleman can fast track this one now that he knows what he’s committed to his highest-paid player.With training camp fast approaching, it’s unclear if Kuechly and the Panthers will keep lines of communication open or just shelve everything until 2016. But considering how Kuechly’s focus is pretty much always just football, this could be a case where the two sides — or more specifically, Kuechly’s agent Tom Condon and Gettleman — can keep talking and eventually get something done before the season.
How Much Could Luke Kuechly Cost the Panthers?
Posted on Author Bill VothCategories NewsTags Cam Newton, Dave Gettleman, Jon Beason, Panthers, Tom Condon
He’s deserving of 18 million a year, its a shame he gets the short shaft of being a middle linebacker. He’s the heart and soul of that defense.
I agree that Kuechly is the best player on our team… but I think $11 million a year is more than fair and your discounting Davis a bit. IMO, the proper analogy would be that TD is the heart and Keek is the brain
He’s deserving of 18 million a year, its a shame he gets the short shaft of being a middle linebacker. He’s the heart and soul of that defense.
I agree that Kuechly is the best player on our team… but I think $11 million a year is more than fair and your discounting Davis a bit. IMO, the proper analogy would be that TD is the heart and Keek is the brain
I think he’ll get a great deal he’s a coverage,tackling LB perfect fit for a 4-3 but i don’t think they should call OLB in a 3-4 LB I think they should be called pass rushers cauase they really stand up DE’s like Justin Houston would be a DE in our Defense
I think he’ll get a great deal he’s a coverage,tackling LB perfect fit for a 4-3 but i don’t think they should call OLB in a 3-4 LB I think they should be called pass rushers cauase they really stand up DE’s like Justin Houston would be a DE in our Defense
Sounds more than reasonable. Let’s get it done. Assuming continued performance and no career ending injuries Kuechly could be the first hall of famer drafted by the panthers.
Sounds more than reasonable. Let’s get it done. Assuming continued performance and no career ending injuries Kuechly could be the first hall of famer drafted by the panthers.
If an NFL contract reflected the value of a player, Luke would be the highest paid Panther. He leads the defense, and defense is the only reason we made 2014 playoffs. Hopefully, someday in Carolina, defense will win a championship!
If an NFL contract reflected the value of a player, Luke would be the highest paid Panther. He leads the defense, and defense is the only reason we made 2014 playoffs. Hopefully, someday in Carolina, defense will win a championship!
I don’t even agree with the name of this article. If Luke was signed as the highest paid player on the team, he wouldn’t “COST” Carolina anything. He is the best player on the team by such a large margin that he gets 2nd place for his leadership & 3rd place for being an incredible human being as well, behind Davis and Tillman of course. He is the single best, most impactful player the Panthers have ever had and he is already a guaranteed, 1st-year eligible, hall of famer. Pay the man, pay him big and pay him now.
I don’t even agree with the name of this article. If Luke was signed as the highest paid player on the team, he wouldn’t “COST” Carolina anything. He is the best player on the team by such a large margin that he gets 2nd place for his leadership & 3rd place for being an incredible human being as well, behind Davis and Tillman of course. He is the single best, most impactful player the Panthers have ever had and he is already a guaranteed, 1st-year eligible, hall of famer. Pay the man, pay him big and pay him now.