If this is Taylor Moton’s last year with Panthers, he wants it to be his best
Taylor Moton knows he’s only guaranteed one more year in Carolina. And the thought of leaving the only place he’s played in the NFL makes the Panthers veteran right tackle emotional.
Wednesday, following the most competitive training camp practice this summer, Moton addressed his potential “walk year,” and why he doesn’t want to have pick up and head somewhere else. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound lineman, entering his ninth season in Carolina, was dripping with sweat as he held in tears, lamenting the idea of playing in a uniform that didn’t feature process blue.
“I try not to think about it,” Moton said about his unsettled future in Charlotte. “I’ve had some of my best years here in Carolina. I know we haven’t won, but the city, and being a Panther, means a lot to me. It’s crazy —you don’t know — obviously, I want the years to continue. But if it’s my last year here, I want it to be my best year. I want it to be the offensive line’s best year, the offensive unit’s best year. The team’s best year — do whatever I can to help us be our best yet. I’m a little emotional about it.”
Moton added: “I have a deep passion for this city, this organization, and for all the guys in the locker room — all the staff, everyone involved in making this thing go.”
Moton started 104 consecutive games for the Panthers from 2018 to October of last year. While he missed three games due to injury in 2024, he continued to be a consistent protector for quarterback Bryce Young when available.
Moton hasn’t been named to a Pro Bowl or All-Pro team during his career, but he’s steadily been one of the most productive blockers at his position during his time as a starter. It’s tough to earn accolades in the same conference as Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson and Detroit Lions right tackle Penei Sewell, but Moton has shown up, done his job, and protected a litany of QBs during his time in Carolina.
Moton has played 7,417 offensive snaps. He has given up just 16 sacks and 179 total pressures in that playing time, according to Pro Football Focus.
Moton has had to compartmentalize the lack of accolades by focusing on what he can control. But when those accolades (or lack thereof) impact his bottom line, specifically his contract negotiating leverage, he tries to just focus on the task at hand.
“I try to take it one day at a time,” Moton said. “The whole financial side, contract side of it, I leave that up to my agent Joel (Segal). I think he’s a tremendous agent, I love working with him. And like (I) said, ‘control what you can control,’ but that said, I come out here, I do my job to the best of my ability and do what I can to help this team win. And other than that, you just let the chips fall as they may. And I just want to do everything I can to prove my worth to the team.”
Moton will make $14.3 million in base salary this season. His cap number — due to multiple contract restructures over the years — is at $31.34 million, which is easily the highest figure on the roster.
In theory, giving Moton an extension now would open up a ton of cap space this year, but the Panthers are trying to keep their fluidity on the cap for future seasons. Moton dealt with knee and triceps injuries last season, and he’s set to turn 31 in August.
“Any conversation we have with Taylor and his agent, or any player and their agents, we keep between us,” said Brandt Tilis, the Panthers EVP of Football Operations. “As far as Taylor himself goes, I did see him get a little emotional up here. That is hard. That’s a hard part of our business.
“Somebody pours their whole life into this like Taylor has, and he’s faced with potentially going to a new place next year. But at the same time, we are going to make the best decision for the organization, and if that means keeping Taylor here, that’s great. If those two things align, we are open to it.”
If Moton can play up to his performance over the past few years and stay healthy, he should be able to cash in somewhere in free agency. But he’d like to stay in Carolina because it’s where he’s settled down with his family.
“I know I have another contract in me,” Moton said. “I know I have more good football in me. I’ve heard the rumblings about my health, but I’m feeling great. Even though I’ve got a Year 9 mind, (my) body’s feeling like a rookie again. I feel like I’ve got some good years ahead of me, but like I said, all I’m worried about is the 2025 season and attacking these meetings this afternoon (after practice). What’s next? That’s what it’s all about.”
Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, who had his fifth-year option picked up in April, is also eligible for a contract extension. However, with an extra year left on Ekwonu’s deal, the Panthers don’t need to contemplate life without the Charlotte native anytime soon.
That’s not the case with Moton, but Tilis said the team isn’t dictating that one tackle is a priority over the other when it comes to a new deal.
The Panthers are prioritizing long-term competitiveness. And Tilis won’t rule out any scenario as Carolina looks end its seven-year playoff drought.
Said Tilis: “Whatever makes the best sense for the Panthers, we’ll do.”
