Taylor Moton’s contract is expiring. Does Panthers’ case for re-signing him make cents?
Developing offensive linemen is a work in progress for the Carolina Panthers.
Of the five starting offensive linemen on the current roster, only one — right tackle Taylor Moton — was drafted by the team. Left tackle Greg Little, a 2019 second-round pick, was a healthy scratch for last week’s game, and last year’s sixth-round pick offensive lineman Dennis Daley has had opportunities but isn’t a consistent starter at this point.
But Moton’s four-year, $4.2 million rookie contract is up at the end of the year. So, what next?
Moton is in line to get big money this offseason, but there is a slight question mark when it comes to just how much. Denver Broncos right tackle Ja’Wuan James received a four-year, $51 million contract in 2019. Jack Conklin received a three-year, $42 million deal from the Cleveland Browns this past offseason. Buffalo Bills left tackle Dion Dawkins, who was drafted one pick before Moton in 2017, received a four-year contract extension worth $60 million in August, but the value there is slightly different.
It figures that Moton will get a contract in the range of his fellow right tackles, but the unknowns related to the cap number for the 2021 season will be a factor. He’ll be looking for something in the $14-15 million range like Conklin. The franchise tag number for offensive linemen was $14.8 million in 2020. That will take up even more of a team’s cap space in 2021.
While the Panthers’ offensive line has dealt with a variety of injuries as of late, Moton, 26, has not missed a game in his career and barely even takes a snap off, playing 99.5% of offensive snaps in 2018 and 2019 and 100% so far this year, more than any other Panther.
Moton was selected out of Western Michigan by the Panthers in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft. He’s been the starting right tackle since 2018 after a learning year behind Daryl Williams, whom the Panthers drafted in the fourth-round in 2015.
He has settled into the position well. Moton has allowed nine sacks in his career, per Pro Football Focus, and only two this year. Moton has given up four career quarterback hits and has been called for two penalties this year and 14 total in his career. He has also allowed 12 pressures, which is tied for the second-fewest among offensive tackles who have played starting-level snaps this year.
In the last three games, Moton has not given up a single hurry, including against a tough Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ defensive line. He is one of 11 offensive linemen who have played a minimum of 600 snaps to not give up a single quarterback hit this year.
Will the Panthers re-sign Taylor Moton?
The Panthers’ offensive line has overall played well this year, and Moton is one who often goes unnoticed, largely because he’s doing his job and doing it well. Throughout the season, he has continued to impress and that’s without former Panthers right guard Trai Turner by his side anymore.
Fourth-year wide receiver Curtis Samuel is the other Panther that will receive interest on the free agency market and head coach Matt Rhule has often commended Samuel and the work he puts in. Re-signing him will be an option as well, but he might also get a chance to receive more money elsewhere.
The future at left tackle is also up in the air. 32-year old starter Russell Okung’s contract is up at the end of the year and backup Trent Scott will become a restricted free agent. Scott could be a likely candidate to return, but Daley and Little will also be in the mix as they continue to develop.
The Panthers did not engage in extension talks with Moton’s team during the offseason and that lack of discussion between the two sides has continued. The right tackle is putting together a solid year and will at least explore options in free agency, per a league source.
This upcoming offseason will be the next step in the Panthers’ development for the future. Moton could be a part of that, but someone is going to pay him, and there’s a chance the Panthers won’t match what he can get elsewhere.
This story was originally published December 3, 2020 at 1:33 PM.
