Analysis: Taylor Moton deal provides Panthers with much-needed stability

Other than pure skill and talent, continuity is the key factor in building a successful offensive line. And for what has seemed like decades up to this point, the Carolina Panthers haven’t had any of that . . . until today.

On Thursday afternoon, the team announced a four-year, $72 million extension with right tackle Taylor Moton. The deal was not only timely on  this particular day, as the agreement narrowly beat the 4:00 p.m. ET deadline for contract talks with franchise-tagged players, but timely in the organization’s search for stability amidst a fluid rebuilding process.

Although their offensive front is far from a finished product, the Panthers have identified and now locked in an undeniably valuable piece of the unit. Moton, who turns 27 years old in a little over a month, has consistently proven to be their most reliable blocker as well as one of the game’s best players at the position over his four NFL seasons.

From the jump in 2017, the 6-foot-5, 325-pounder has displayed a well-rounded skill set that helped bring him to this payday. Moton’s versatile technique, noticeable foot quickness and ability to dissect his assignments—just to name a few of his strengths—has made him a trusted presence in the passing game and, even more so, as a road grader.

For Moton, the extension makes him one the richest offensive linemen in the sport today. His annual take of $18 million ties him with Philadelphia’s Lane Johnson and Las Vegas’ Kolton Miller for the sixth-highest yearly earnings amongst all tackles. That amount also puts him second only to New Orleans’ Ryan Ramczyk in yearly contract earnings for the right tackle position.

For Carolina, this step towards some semblance of security was necessary, even at that hefty price tag. There may be one, maybe two, long-term players currently down the rest of that line.

Left tackle will be a Sophie’s choice between 2019 second-round bust Greg Little and the inefficient veteran in Cameron Erving, who will now be on his fourth team in seven pro seasons. The left guard battle could prove Dennis Daley is a solid depth piece for the future in his third season, because it’s likely the newly-signed Pat Elflein won’t be.

Matt Paradis, at 31 years old, has been up and down since joining the team and will be a free agent in 2022. And we may see 2021 third-rounder Brady Christensen have to break through early at right guard with John Miller, David Moore and Deonte Brown making up for an unproven crop there as well.

So, use whatever metaphor you’d like to describe the historically volatile state of the Panthers’ offensive line—may it be a wide set of revolving doors or a row of turnstiles. But use them while you can, because Thursday’s investment in Moton may ignite the long-awaited overhaul of one of the league’s most unstable position groups in recent memory.