The Carolina Panthers and their “Iron Man” Taylor Moton agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension. The deal that keeps Moton in Carolina through the 2027 season is worth $44 million, with $40 million guaranteed.
Moton has spent his entire career in the black and blue and was emotional at the podium during training camp about the uncertainty of his future with the team as contract negotiations continued.
“I had some of my best years here in Carolina,” said the 2017 second-round pick. “I know we haven’t won. But the city, being a Panther, means a lot to me, so 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 have us be our best yet, so I’m a little emotional about it.
“All the blood, all the sweat, all the tears, right? I’ve been through so much here; being a Panther means a lot to me. The city means a lot to me. I found my family here, I found my son here, you know? So much sacrifice has gone out on the football field here at Bank of America Stadium. I put so much time, so much heart into it, right? So it’s just crazy, you know, but at the end of the day, focused on finishing this out the right way. If it is, obviously I said I have some good years left, but I have a deep passion for this city, for this organization, for all the guys in the locker room, all the staff, everyone involved in making this thing go.”
While the years have been turbulent for the organization as a whole, Moton has been a steadfast, consistent presence. He and long snapper JJ Jansen are the lone Panthers that remain from Carolina’s last winning season – a distant 2017. Not only has he played in 129 games, starting 113 of those; he remains one of the best tackles in the NFL. Last season, Pro Football Focus stats had Moton in the top 20 tackles in the league, committing only one penalty and giving up only one sack. In his eight season, he’s only missed three games – all of those were last season – he has allowed only 16 sacks.
Highly revered on a revamped offensive line that is expected to perform near the top of the league, Moton’s work ethic, consistency, and reliability are not lost on those in the trenches with him. Guard Robert Hunt calls him underrated and surmises that he would be a Pro Bowler in a bigger market. Now, Moton will have a bit longer to make Carolina that bigger market. With the move, the Panthers have locked down 80% of its starting line through the next two seasons. Center Austin Corbett’s contract is the only one set to expire after this year.
