Carolina Panthers restructure contract for offensive lineman Taylor Moton

The Carolina Panthers created some salary cap room on Wednesday with the contract restructuring of offensive lineman Taylor Moton.

The team announced the move on Wednesday night and NFL insider Tom Pelissero shared on Thursday that Moton’s restructuring cleared $11 million in cap space for 2023.

Entering a pivotal offseason for the franchise, the Panthers now have improved flexibility for the 2023 offseason.

A bunch of salary conversions filed overnight to clear 2023 cap space: #Chargers WRs Keenan Allen (cleared $8.9 million) and Mike Williams (cleared $5.46M)#Dolphins edge Bradley Chubb (cleared $14.656M)#Panthers OT Taylor Moton (cleared $11M)

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 9, 2023

As for Moton, the offensive lineman has been with the Panthers since the franchise drafted him 64th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. A standout from Western Michigan, the offensive lineman has become a fixture on the Carolina line.

This is the Panthers’ second restructuring for Moton since he agreed on a four-year, $71.25 million contract extension last offseason. In 2021, Moton played on the franchise tag instead of hitting the free agents market. Part of his four-year deal is $43 million in guaranteed money.

Over six seasons, the former second-round draft pick has earned $37 million from the Panthers.

More on the 2023 NFL offseason, free agency

The Carolina Panthers have 16 players eligible for unrestricted free agency starting on March 15.

The NFL 2023 new calendar year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15. At that time, contracts running through 2022 officially run out, making those players free agents.

Prior to the beginning of free agency, teams will have a chance to designate one franchise or transition tag player, starting on Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. ET and ending on March 7. Beginning March 13 through March 15 teams can enter into a legal negotiation with players who are will become unrestricted free agents.

In addition to NFL free agency, the new year also marks the beginning of all trades being made official by the league office. April 21 marks the deadline to sign restricted free agents to offer sheets. On April 26, the deadline for teams to match restricted free agent offers sheets hits.