So he holds out in 2027 instead?
I wouldn’t take that. Panthers are facing a murderers row next season and were already primed to regress anyway.
and again, gotta strike while you have leverage. He has it right now and the panthers don’t.
I was thinking 3year $20M (ish) is a little more reasonable and easy for both sides to swallow.
As for leverage...the Panthers have it all. He can play next year for $6.7M (with my numbers) or $1.1 (league min) or $0 (sits out). I can't imagine risking getting hurt for $1.1M while turning down guaranteed money. Also...by sitting out 2026, he looses all the momentum he had and becomes just another UDFA that had a few good games in the minds of GM's everywhere. No way someone keeps him in mind when handing out big contracts a year after playing a down.
He's a good player and absolutely will get paid, but it won't break the bank.