Panthers’ $71 Million Right Tackle Unlikely to Sign Extension, Names Rival as Preferred Destination
Carolina Panthers right tackle who had a standout 2024 season, is unlikely to receive a contract extension this offseason. The 30-year-old veteran significantly improved from his 2023 performance, allowing just 14 pressures, 11 hurries, two quarterback hits, and one sack in 14 games. His Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades also saw an uptick, with a 79.8 pass-blocking grade, a 66.9 run-blocking grade, and an overall 77.2 grade. This was a notable improvement over his 2023 numbers, where he surrendered 41 pressures, 40 hurries, and one sack in 17 starts, earning a 78.1 pass-blocking grade, a 65.6 run-blocking grade, and an overall 74.6 grade.
Moton Enters Final Year of Contract
Moton is set to play the final season of his four-year, $71.2 million extension, which he signed in 2021. In 2025, he will earn a $14.3 million base salary along with a $3 million roster bonus, which was due on March 15, bringing his cap hit to $31.3 million—the highest among offensive tackles. Given his contract situation, the Panthers have multiple options: they could extend, restructure, release him, or simply let him play out the final year of his deal.
Panthers Unlikely to Offer Extension
According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, Moton has already secured his $3 million roster bonus, as he remains on the active roster past the deadline. The Panthers are expected to let him finish his current contract without an extension, preparing for him to enter free agency in 2026. The team’s decision suggests they are bracing for a future without their star right tackle.