Extension for Panthers punter ‘Big Money’ Mike Palardy is more than dollar investment

A source told the Observer on Tuesday evening that Palardy’s three-year extension is worth $7.52 million, and came with a $2 million signing bonus.

And, well, “big money” guys have to stick together.

In actuality, Tepper was joking with Palardy about a video and series of photos the Panthers specialists shot on Tuesday afternoon, which mimicked the “awkward family photos” series in the Will Ferrell movie “Step Brothers”.

“We’re light-hearted, we’re fun,” laughed Palardy, though he was adamant that he, long snapper J.J. Jansen and placekicker Graham Gano were not the ones who planned the photo shoot. The three also have trick-shot contests on the Nerf hoop next to center Ryan Kalil’s locker, try to nutmeg other players with Palardy’s soccer ball, and are constantly joking and laughing with each other.

“We keep things entertaining, but we also put that same about of hard work into our jobs if not more, and we take it seriously,” Palardy said. “We are passionate about each others’ jobs. To be able to spend time like that, do special stuff like that, it’s pretty cool to showcase our personalities.”

For those who might have considered it odd for the multi-billionaire owner of the Panthers to pal around with the team’s punter, it’s a new era in Carolina where special teams are concerned.

Coach Ron Rivera wants to place as much of an emphasis on the success of the Panthers’ special teams as the offense and the defense.

On Sunday before the Panthers host the New York Giants, the special teams unit will actually get to run out through the tunnel in the smoke and the flames and be introduced on the jumbo screens.

“We’re trying to make sure we’re not just paying lip service when we talk about how important it is,” Rivera said. “We’re going to make sure these guys get their opportunity to be introduced.”

Led by coordinator Chase Blackburn and assistant Heath Farwell, Carolina’s special teams unit is a close-knit group that has so far had a great season.

The opportunity to be recognized for that on Sunday is exciting.

So exciting, Palardy joked that Jansen might even get a little carried away.

“I think J.J. might do a back-flip or something, something really athletic,” laughed Palardy.

Nobody was happier for Palardy than Jansen and Gano. The three will now all be Panthers through at least the 2020 season.

But Palardy’s road to this point was long.

He was cut and re-signed by seven teams after leaving the University of Tennessee in 2014, before the Panthers picked him up after a hamstring injury sidelined veteran Andy Lee in 2016.

Palardy eventually beat Lee in a preseason competition to earn a roster spot before the 2017 season. He was set to become a restricted free agent this spring.

“When you look back on the two-and-a-half years I spent (without) a job, it really kind of puts things into perspective and you start to realize why you put in that two-and-a-half years’ worth of work,” he said. “Being cut so many times, and having so many workouts, I think for my family, that’s the most important thing is to create a life for them that I didn’t have when I was a kid, that my wife didn’t have when she was a kid.”

Palardy’s contract is No. 8 among NFL punters, although he currently ranks No. 1 in balls pinned within the 20-yard line (eight), among the group of 10 punters with at least eight punts this season.

Palardy also ranks No. 10 in the league in net punting, at 44.1 yards.