Carolina Panthers restructure offensive lineman's contract

The Panthers created some salary cap flexibility on Friday. According to the franchise, Carolina restructured the contract of offensive lineman Taylor Moton.

“The Panthers created some more salary cap flexibility on Friday, as they prepare to head into free agency,” announced the Panthers. “The team restructured the contract of right tackle Taylor Moton, clearing a considerable chunk of space under the cap for next year.

“Moton still makes the same money, but the accounting move allows them to prorate some cap space into future years.”

Entering a pivotal offseason for the franchise, the Panthers now have improved their flexibility for the 2022 offseason. The team is in dire need of impact players, and Matt Rhule is looking to change the narrative surrounding his foray into the NFL next season. With more money, the franchise can do what they feel like is necessary to get to that point.

As for Moton, the offensive lineman has been with the Panthers since the franchise drafted him 64th overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Out of Western Michigan, the offensive lineman has become a fixture on the Carolina line. Throughout his career, he’s helped protect quarterbacks like Cam Newton and Teddy Bridgewater, while opening up lanes for running backs like Christian McCaffrey.

Last season, the Panthers franchise-tagged Moton when he was slated to hit free agency. Then, the franchise reached an agreement on a four-year, $71.25M contract extension for the offensive lineman. Additionally, the former Western Michigan star received $43M in guarantees. Now, Carolina is restructuring his contract to aid the franchise’s quest for more victories.

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Moreover, Taylor Moton and the Panthers started off 2021 blazing. Carolina was 3-0 to begin the season. Afterward, the Panthers could barely stay competitive for the rest of the season. The franchise won just two of their next 14 games.

In the end, the Panthers finished the year off in last place of the NFC South — a 5-12 record. If they do not want a constant repeat of these results, one analyst believes the Panthers should prepare for a change at head coach.

“Identify a coach in waiting or at least get some back-channeling going early. This Matt Rhule experiment has an expiration date around Thanksgiving. Resist the urge to trade for Deshaun Watson without full and complete closure on his legal status,” wrote Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.

According to La Canfora, not only should the Panthers prepare for a split with Rhule — but they would be wise to hang onto their assets and not trade for disgruntled Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson. And depending on what the Texans do, a team that is vying for the services of Watson may not have to trade for him at all.