The Carolina Panthers have improved their offensive line. They recently announced the extension of right tackle Taylor Moton’s contract through the 2027 season. The announcement, which broke on Friday, is a huge step for the team and their fans as they gear up for the 2020 season. The Minnesota Vikings are clearly done with wide receiver Adam Thielen. He’s on the last year of his contract.
Moton, one of the anchors along the Panthers offensive line, said he believes the Panthers organization was the right fit for him. He stated, “Obviously I want the years to continue, but if it’s my last year here, I want it to be my best year.” His commitment comes from a wish to succeed—succeed personally, sure, but for the greater good of his team’s success.
“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.” – Taylor Moton
The Panthers’ wide receiver room is one of the most loaded in the league. Jalen Coker, David Moore, rookie Jimmy Horn Jr., and Brycen Tremayne all remain in the mix. This depth will unfortunately factor into the Panthers’ decision-making when it comes to Thielen, especially as they figure out the state of their overall depth chart.
The Vikings’ interest in Thielen stems from a need for depth during Jordan Addison’s three-game suspension to start the season. Jalen Nailor is still in the midst of healing from a hand injury. In the background, Hunter Renfrow has been pulling off a solid resurrection after missing a year with ulcerative colitis. At 35 years of age, Thielen still possesses the savvy veteran experience which could be beneficial to the Vikings’ young offense.
Thielen has drawn trade interest, but Panthers head coach Dave Canales isn’t ready to talk marriages and money yet. He’s looking to turn those discussions over to general manager Dan Morgan. He acknowledged Moton’s contributions to the team: “He’s been a stud here for a really long time, and has showed us the progress, the reliability that we’re looking for.”
The Panthers certainly have some fun young players to watch! Second-round talent Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette likely make their presence known in 2025 and 2024, respectively. With Moton’s contract extension and ongoing discussions about Thielen, the Panthers are positioning themselves strategically for both immediate and future success.
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