Panthers talking extension with Trai Turner

[Mr. Scot]

"Preliminary conversations" per Joe Person (Link)

With the glaring exception of cornerback Josh Norman, Dave Gettleman has taken care of the team’s young, deserving free agents since he became the Panthers’ general manager in 2013.

Cam Newton. Luke Kuechly. Kawann Short. All were signed to lucrative contract extensions that put them among the highest-paid players at their positions before they reached free agency. Turner, the team’s third-round pick in 2014 and a two-time Pro Bowler in the final year of his rookie contract, is next up.

The two sides have had preliminary conversations, according to league sources. But given the spending the past two offseasons at his position and his place among the top interior linemen in the league, locking up Turner for the long haul isn’t going to come cheap or easy.

Upper-echelon guards in the NFL still don’t make what their tackle-playing peers pull down. But the contracts given to Cleveland’s Kevin Zeitler (five years, $60 million in March) and Oakland’s Kelechi Osemele (five years, $58.5 million in 2016 helped narrow the gap).

[LinvilleGorge]

get r done

[Captain Morgan]

I'm nervous.

How much is the GWB gonna want?

 

[Bronn]

11 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

I'm nervous.

How much is the GWB gonna want?

 

He shouldn't get Turner money. Not by a long shot IMHO.

I mean, I like Norwell and want us to keep him, but I honestly think some other guys already on the roster can hold down LG down the road.

[TheSpecialJuan]

12 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

I'm nervous.

How much is the GWB gonna want?

 

AT least $11-12 million a year. I'm glad DG is attempting to get something done but I highly doubt we sign Trai long term.

[UpstatePanther]

32 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

AT least $11-12 million a year. I'm glad DG is attempting to get something done but I highly doubt we sign Trai long term.

People always doubt that we'll extend any player long term. It literally happens with every player the Panthers might extend when their contracts near their ends.

[shaqattaq]

53 minutes ago, Captain Morgan said:

I'm nervous.

How much is the GWB gonna want?

 

Based on the recent contracts out there, I think Trai will get 5 years for $55-60 million, and Norwell will Get 5 year - $40-45 million. I really hope that we find a way to lock them both down. 

Interesting fact that I just learned about Franchise tags: "The Panthers could use the franchise tag on Turner, although that seems unlikely because there is not a specific tag value for guards. So Turner would receive the average of the top five salaries for all offensive linemen, which this year was $14.27 million."

[Khyber53]

Tackle play this season will greatly impact how much money is going to be offered to Turner and Norwell. If our tackles don't hold the fort as well as we hope, then those top rate, experienced guards are going to deserve more money to shore up the line. If the Kalil/Williams/Oher/Moton tackles hold up or even excel, that's going to drive the need and dollars down for the guards.

As much as those two guys are great at what they do, the old NFL mantra is that you can always find and train more guards.

Sure would be nice to see Cam behind an O-line full of Pro-bowlers, though. It might very well be worth every penny.

[Jeremy Igo]

Someone is getting franchised next year.... 

[Bronn]

7 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Someone is getting franchised next year.... 

Not doubting you, but the only real candidates would be Trai and Star...

I doubt we tag a DT two years in a row, and I would hope we could get Trai for the $11 Mil a year range... Franchise OL in 2018 will probably be around at least $15 Mil a year...

There's no way Norwell is worth $15 Mil a year. We could have two of him for that price. If he won't sign for $7 - $8 Mil a year, then let him go elsewhere for his payday.

[SOJA]

15 minutes ago, Jeremy Igo said:

Someone is getting franchised next year.... 

no chance a deal gets done this summer?

I'd rather do one now then wait another season, or two more seasons. Guard money is already edging toward insanity. 

[Ricky Spanish]

I want both Turner and Norwell for the long haul.