Luke's Contract Talks are Heating up

[nctarheel0619]

 

Though a new contract doesn’t appear imminent, talks between the Carolina Panthers and middle linebacker Luke Kuechly are “heating up,” a league source told the Observer.

Last week there was some concern that the deal wouldn’t be done before the start of the regular season, with one source calling it “50-50.” But talks became more serious in recent days.

Kuechly, a two-time All Pro and 2013 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is set to become the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. A fourth-year player, Kuechly is in the final year of his rookie contract and is already under contract in 2016 on his fifth-year option worth $11.058 million.

Two young linebackers, Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David and Seattle’s Bobby Wagner, have already gotten contract extensions this training camp.

Kuechly has said he’s not concerned about a new deal and that it will happen when it happens.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has said he does not negotiate contracts during the regular season, hence the preseason deadline.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article31355633.html#storylink=cpy

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article31355633.html

Also on the front page of ESPN on the side scroll.  

[Jackofalltrades]

Get it done Dave!

[Ricky Spanish]

I'm not worried about this one at all. Less than 1% worried. 

[Jackofalltrades]

this is actually Gettleman's easiest deal. You've got the Wagner and David deal, add another 5% because Luke is better than both of them then sign and do a picture op.

Structure could complicate things, Dave will want to keep the deal team friendly, the agent won't, necessarily. 

[BelgianPantherFan]

We do have some cap room left that we can't carry over. Seems like Gettleman may frontload this one.

[TheRed]

Coincidentally, my pants are also heating up.

[carpanfan96]

I'm still expecting something like 13.7 a season for 5 years. Making him the highest paid NFL ILB  by a few million over the life of the contract.

[heelinfine]

How awesome it would be starting this season knowing we have our franchise players on both sides of the ball locked in for years to come?

 

[Mr. Scot]

How awesome it would be starting this season knowing we have our franchise players on both sides of the ball locked in for years to come?

 

Beat me to it.

Would be phenomenal.

[PandaPancake]

I've always wanted to panic over nothing.

 

Luke doesn't want to stay in Charlotte. Dave is setting him up for failure by not giving him the tools he needs to succeed. Luke wants to go to a bigger market for not exposure.

[UNCrules2187]

My prediction: 4-year, $48m extension. Total deal will be 5-year, $59m including the 2016 option. $30-35m guaranteed ($8-10m signing bonus and guarantee his 2015 and 2016 base salaries which gets him $21-23m fully guaranteed at signing, the rest will be tied up in roster bonus guaranteed for injury only).

[Mr. Scot]

$59m

Heh :)

[heelinfine]

 

 

I've always wanted to panic over nothing.

 

Luke doesn't want to stay in Charlotte. Dave is setting him up for failure by not giving him the tools he needs to succeed. Luke wants to go to a bigger market for not exposure.

Haplo? Is that you Harpo? 

Over/under on Haplos appearance in this discussion?  I'll go with under 12 hours 

[RealBitsOfPanther]

I think Luke's contract is a matter of when it will get done.. not if.