How the Panthers value Christian McCaffrey and what makes his contract situation unique
Christian McCaffrey sat down at the piano and started playing “Lean on Me.” He explained that he played the song at the team’s rookie talent show and was grateful that, unlike other first-round picks, he was not booed.
In an offseason that has seen most veteran Panthers leave or be released from the team, McCaffrey, after just three years, has become one of the faces of the franchise. He played piano live on Bose’s Instagram on Wednesday in support of his 22 and You program, raising money for healthcare workers in the Carolinas.
But as he enters the fourth year of his rookie contract, this offseason will be a test of his staying power in Carolina. If a new contract is not reached, could a holdout be on the horizon? How much do you pay a player that had both 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards last year?
General manager Marty Hurney and head coach Matt Rhule declined to get into details about the first-team All-Pro back’s contract situation when asked this week. Hurney doesn’t get into contract specifics on any player with the media, but he did say that “obviously we’ve had internal discussions. Everybody knows what we think of Christian as a player.” Discussions on a potential extension are expected to start taking place soon.
“My job is to coach the guys up until they’re here or not here. This is for anybody. Marty, those guys handle the contracts and all that. I think Christian McCaffrey is a centerpiece player you can build a team around ... And I think he really builds for the culture that you want to have within the building,” Rhule said. “We want to be a serious football place, we want to be a place that it’s all about the game, and I think that’s who Christian McCaffrey is.”
McCaffrey’s contract situation comes at a time when long-term running back contracts have come under much debate. The Rams released running back Todd Gurley last month after giving him a four-year, $60 million contract extension with $45 million in guarantees in 2018.
Gurley, 25, was released this offseason after a knee problem he developed he developed in 2018 slowed him down. He recently signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Falcons.
Last year, there were two major backs in a similar situation to McCaffrey will be this fall. Ezekiel Elliott became the highest-paid running back in the NFL in 2019 when the Cowboys gave him a six-year, $90 million extension after he held out of training camp. He rushed for 1,357 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon, in the same situation as Elliott, also held out of training camp and the start of last season, but Los Angeles decided not to re-sign him. He instead agreed a two-year, $16 million deal with the Broncos in free agency.
McCaffrey’s representation and the Panthers have experience with holdouts. McCaffrey’s agent Joel Segal represents Khalil Mack, who held out with the Raiders and then was traded to the Bears. Carolina’s new Director of Player Negotiations & Salary Cap Manager, Samir Suleiman, was previously with the Steelers since 2013, including when the team elected not to pay running back Le’Veon Bell the amount he wanted during a season-long holdout before he became a free agent.
The situation regarding McCaffrey, 23, is somewhat unique. Whenever a new free agent signed by the Panthers has been asked who the first player to reach out to him was, the answer has consistently been McCaffrey. Wide receiver Robby Anderson even wore McCaffrey’s No. 22 jersey during his virtual press conference.
McCaffrey can also be regarded as a positionless player and will continue to be used as a receiver and a back, something that will be noted in negotiations. He isn’t used like a typical running back, and his camp won’t be asking for typical running back money. He is only the third player in NFL history to reach the 1,000/1,000 mark. His versatility is something that Rhule pointed out.
“I hired (offensive coordinator) Joe (Brady) because I know that he’s going to utilize guys to their strengths and so that’s what Christian is, and to label him, I feel that’s not respectful to him. I mean he’s a tailback/wideout, he can do it all, returner,” Rhule said. “I’m anxious to get him out there, I’m anxious to, you know, continue to build this thing around him. I think he’s going to be a special player for us.”
