Longtime Carolina Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton has started 113 games in eight seasons with the team. In that span, the 2017 second-round pick has allowed a total of just 16 sacks — and never more than five in a single season — according to Pro Football Focus.
He's a steady hand on the offensive line for an organization that has changed significantly around him.
The Panthers rewarded Moton Friday with a two-year, $44 million extension that includes $40 million guaranteed, the Win Sports Group told ESPN's Adam Schefter. Moton's new deal will keep him with the Panthers through the 2027 season.
"He's been a stud here for a really long time, and has showed us the progress, the reliability that we're looking for,'' Panthers head coach Dave Canales said, via ESPN. "The character of the guy first and foremost speaks to who he is and just wanted him to be a part of what we're building, and knowing he's an important part.''
When considering Moton's 2025 base salary and two-year extension, he's due for $19.4 million in average per year (APY), in other words he has the sixth-highest APY at the right tackle position behind Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions, Lane Johnson of the Philadelphia Eagles, Zach Tom of the Green Bay Packers and Jawaan Taylor of the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer.
The Panthers now have all five of their starting offensive linemen signed through at least the 2026 season. Continuity up front will help an offense that hasn't ranked higher than 20th in points per game since 2018.
Moton has offered individual consistency over the years, missing only three games along the way. All three of those absences took place last year while he was nursing an elbow injury. Before that, he had made 104 consecutive starts. Over the 14 games he played in during the 2024 campaign, he allowed only one sack and 14 pressures, and he was penalized just once, per PFF.
His commitment to the Panthers is undeniable. It showed earlier in training camp when he was asked if this could be his final year in Carolina.
"Obviously I want the years to continue, but if it's my last year here, I want it to be my best year,'' Moton said prior to Friday's extension, per ESPN. "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, the practice field here at Bank of America Stadium."
Moton wanted to stay with the Panthers beyond this season. The veteran right tackle got his wish.
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