CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) – The Carolina Panthers will keep one of their longest-tenured players after they signed him to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Friday.
Right tackle Taylor Moton has spent all nine years of his NFL career with the Panthers, and is now tied to Carolina through 2027.
Moton, who has become a franchise stalwart, was set to become a free agent after this year. Only long-snapper J.J. Jansen — who is entering his 17th season — has been with the Panthers longer.
The veteran player’s two-year extension is worth $44 million total, with $40 million guaranteed.
Carolina picked Moton out of Western Michigan in the second round of the 2017 draft. Since then, he has played in all but three of the Panthers’ games. His durability and longevity is enough that if he plays in just five games this season, he will have passed Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart in terms of games played for the Panthers.
The Panthers agreed to a two-year, $44 million extension to keep Taylor Moton (72) with the team through 2027.(Terrance Williams | AP)Moton on how much the Panthers mean to him
The 31-year-old made it clear during training camp that he wanted to stay in Carolina beyond 2025.
“I know I have more good football in me,” Moton said during a July 30 press conference. “Even though I’ve got a year-nine mind, [my body is] feeling like a rookie again.”
“I’ve had some of my best years here in Carolina,” Moton continued, fighting back tears. “I know we haven’t won … but the city, and being a Panther means a lot to me.”
Now, three weeks after he became emotional when asked if this year could be his last with the only team he has ever known — he knows he will get to stay.
After the Panthers announced Moton’s extension on Friday, they shared a video with the caption, “A Panther for life.”
The video showed big blocks, celebratory spikes and clips from his efforts in the community.
“So much sacrifice has gone out on that football field … on that practice field, here at Bank of America Stadium … I’ve put so much time, so much heart into it,” Moton said during that late-July presser. “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.”
Click here for more Panthers coveragePanthers offensive line ready to repeat 2024 success
The offensive line was perhaps Carolina’s biggest strength in 2024. It paved the way for running back Chuba Hubbard to rush for nearly 1,200 yards, and surrendered the 11th-fewest quarterback sacks — a vast improvement from the year before.
While Moton was characteristically good again in 2024, the addition of guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis helped. Cade Mays filled in admirably at center, and former first-round pick Ickey Ekwonu played all all but two games at left tackle.
The addition of Robert Hunt (pictured) and Damien Lewis were big reasons for the Panthers’ offensive line improvement in 2024.(Jacob Kupferman | AP)
Both guards, Ekwonu and obviously Moton are back in 2025, and Austin Corbett won the starting center job over Mays after missing most of 2024 with an injury. With all those players back, the Panthers seemingly have the makings to have another good offensive line in 2025.
Health is always a concern with linemen, and depth is crucial. Fortunately, the Panthers still have Mays — who can play guard or center — as well as Brady Christensen, who can also play multiple positions.
With the preseason now over, the next time Panthers fans will get a look at their team will be on Sept. 7, when Carolina opens the regular season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Also Read: Panthers stars got in fight on last day of training camp, per report
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