According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Carolina Panthers and offensive tackle Taylor Moton have agreed to a long-term deal before the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline on Thursday. The two sides agreed to a four-year, $72 million contract extension. Moten gets a guaranteed $43 million when he put pen to paper, a well-deserved contract for the four year veteran out of Western Michigan University.
The deal serves two purposes; it gives Moton long-term security, also it prevents him having to play under the franchise tag. If the two sides had not come to an agreement before the deadline, 6-5, 325 pound tackle Moton would have had to play the entire season under the tag. They would not have been able to continue talks until next season concluded.
Moton has not missed a game throughout his four year career with the Panthers. Since 2018, Moton has been a starter in the right tackle position and has not missed a single start in that time.
Among right tackles, Moton’s $18 million salary per year puts him in a tie (second place) with Philadelphia Eagles’ Lane Johnson and sixth overall when it comes to offensive linemen. Only New Orleans Saints’ Ryan Ramczyk make more at $19.2 million annually.
In a comment from late last year, Moton’s coach sang his praise. “He’s an excellent player,” coach Matt Rhule said late last season. “He’s an excellent professional. He’s an even better person. When we talk about the brand, he’s all of that.”
