Panthers give out massive guarantees to their Undrafted Free Agents

[Waldo]

1 hour ago, WhoKnows said:

And why did we offer him the most money? Because our WRs sucked and he and his agent knew it. Agents aren’t going to say no, but making the team as a UDFA isn’t akin to lottery odds as you said and he and his agent got $1.8M in OTAs. That was their goal. $225k is peanuts compared to Coker’s likely lifelong Panthers income and if he went to a team with a stocked WR corps for $250k, he would have screwed up.

I don’t know why this is even up for debate. His agent got him $1.8M over 2 years by OTAs because it was the easiest roster for a good UDFA WR to make. All things equal, take the extra $20k if offered but our situation is absolutely why he signed here not an extra $20-40k. Having an easy road to $1.8M (and more) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> a new Camry.

It's both. Going somewhere they can get a shot at more reps exists but moeny is always apart of the NFL. Coker is a great example for you to use. There are guys taking anything they can get anywhere because they know it's their likely only income at that level but those aren't the top UDFA.

[Basbear]

5 hours ago, Jon Snow said:

I don't think so. Only the top 53 contracts count against the cap,  unless that's been changed. 

Right now all players count against the cap, everyone including IR, PUP, etc. Week 1 only the top 51 contracts count. Best I know.

 

[Basbear]

I read this as the Panthers found a loophole.

Panthers guarantee 150,000-300,000 to 12 UFDAs. Simple terms- that's their new PS, imo. PS members make between 225,000-380,000 yearly. If they cut them and another team claims them, they take on the contract too, but that's as 53 rostered player. 

I love aggression used. The player pool is still in a odd state with NIL and coofus. There's lots of 23 and 24 year old players now.

I think the only way this hurts the Panthers if the player is cut and goes unclaimed. Then the player signs with a different teams PS, but I believe there maybe an offset in salary. Maybe @Toomers can fill in with some input.

[OldhamA]

19 hours ago, ChuckWag78 said:

Now this is where some of you need to give Tepper his due. His money is why we can give these types of guarantees to USDA with, such seemingly, disregard.  

Only the top 51 roster spots count toward the cap for a given year, so any money thrown toward UDFAs is 100% a lure to get them here. 

It is absolutely a competitive advantage his billions bring this team. 

This is chicken feed.

Every owner bar (seemingly) the Bengals could do this if they wanted to. 

[MHS831]

8 hours ago, kungfoodude said:

 

Makes me wonder if eventually the NFL owners will get mad and tighten the rules on UDFA contracts.

I had the same thought.

[Camp Fodder]

On 5/26/2025 at 7:27 PM, scpanther22 said:

Money is the only lure we got until you start playing well lol

If you are an ufda you want to go to a team you have a chance to make versus going to a contender that dont need you 

Edited May 28 by Camp Fodder
Wrong word

[MHS831]

13 hours ago, Camp Fodder said:

If you are an ufda you want to go to a team you have a chance to make versus going to a contender that dont need you 

That is the other side of the coin and certainly should be the first consideration.  However, most UDFAs don't make the roster and $250K right out of college is security.  I would also assume that the team that offered that kinda money wants me more that the others.  The gave the big bucks to players at positions of need in terms of depth, so if you can rake in $250k AND make the practice squad--you have a shot (and $500K in the bank).

[WhoKnows]

3 hours ago, MHS831 said:

That is the other side of the coin and certainly should be the first consideration.  However, most UDFAs don't make the roster and $250K right out of college is security.  I would also assume that the team that offered that kinda money wants me more that the others.  The gave the big bucks to players at positions of need in terms of depth, so if you can rake in $250k AND make the practice squad--you have a shot (and $500K in the bank).

To be fair, the UDFAs being discussed at the start are the top UDFAs who get the largest guaranteed numbers. A quick google found an article from 2016 saying that 20% of the 500+ UDFAs made the week 1 roster. 2-3 per team. The top UDFAs draws are thinking mainly about team fits to make the roster where salaries dwarf the $250k. The non-top UDFAs are happy to chase the money and just want a shot, but those guys weren’t part of the original discussion about the highest guarantees being paid out.

[MHS831]

19 hours ago, WhoKnows said:

To be fair, the UDFAs being discussed at the start are the top UDFAs who get the largest guaranteed numbers. A quick google found an article from 2016 saying that 20% of the 500+ UDFAs made the week 1 roster. 2-3 per team. The top UDFAs draws are thinking mainly about team fits to make the roster where salaries dwarf the $250k. The non-top UDFAs are happy to chase the money and just want a shot, but those guys weren’t part of the original discussion about the highest guarantees being paid out.

Good stuff.  Interesting.

[TD alt]

On 5/27/2025 at 12:14 PM, mrcompletely11 said:

the odds of making the team are akin to winning the lottery, they are going to take the money 10 times out of 10

Money matters, and six figures, especially doubled, is a big deal for most of these kids. If invested correctly, it can set them up for a comfortable retirement in later years. 

Edited May 30 by TD alt