The #Packers and OT Zach Tom have agreed to terms on a historic four-year, $88 million contract extension with a max value of $92 million

[Basbear]

 

Quote

The deal includes a $30.2 million Signing Bonus, which is the largest signing bonus for an Offensive Lineman in the history of the NFL.

 

Icky will get the same if not more...........

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Basbear

[jplace]

Go Deacs!

[Jon Snow]

Maybe. Good offensive lineman is crucial to any offense and they don’t come cheap unless they are on rookie contracts. This upcoming season is a big one for Icky.

[WUnderhill]

Hope not. Still think Icky would be better at RT or G.

[Dingo_ate_Babies]

Is Icky in the discussion as being a top-tier LT? I know he had rough rookie year, but improved last season. Unless he grows into a top-tier LT, why would we pay him as such?

Edited 5 hours ago by Dingo_ate_Babies

[TD alt]

14 minutes ago, Dingo_ate_Babies said:

Is Icky in the discussion as being a top-tier LT? I know he had rough rookie year, but improved last season. Unless he grows into a top-tier LT, why would we pay him as such?

If he has another good season, we're probably not going to get out of it, as that's just the nature of the beast. The salary cap goes up and salaries go up. 

 

Maybe we won't have to pay him that high, but it will most certainly be in the neighborhood. As his season goes, so will his salary (provided that the two sides won't come together now (if there's anything even going on).

https://catcrave.com/panthers-insider-sets-steep-ikem-ekwonu-extension-price-despite-rocky-nfl-ride

[rebelrouser]

27 minutes ago, Dingo_ate_Babies said:

Is Icky in the discussion as being a top-tier LT? I know he had rough rookie year, but improved last season. Unless he grows into a top-tier LT, why would we pay him as such?

No.  PFF grades. He needs to improve pass blocking and limit the penalties.  

[tukafan21]

This contract doesn't make any sense

How does a RT who has never made the Pro Bowl or made an All Pro (granted he finished 3rd in the voting at RT this past season) get the largest signing bonus for an OL in NFL history?

It's really just becoming that every borderline great player who's time is up for a new contract sets some new bar for the next one to top, regardless of how elite of a player they are, it's getting out of hand.

[ColumbusCounty]

1 hour ago, rebelrouser said:

No.  PFF grades. He needs to improve pass blocking and limit the penalties.  

This...If Ekwonu could develop his pass pro to match his run blocking he'd be a ridiculously talented LT. Even still, he had more penalties than allowed sacks last season. 

If he can manage to stay relatively healthy, he'll be resigned as the guy is legitimately one of the best run blockers in the league. I'm sure Dan remembers how bad that left side was before he got here. 

Mind you, I'm not sure Moton is apart of our future plans. Zero chance we'd lose both. Icky signed his rookie deal for 27 mil fully guaranteed w/ a 17 mil signing bonus included. He's projected to get somewhere north of 20 mil per year after the season. 

[frankw]

Icky is going to get paid big regardless. All we can do is hope he will slam the door on any lingering doubts this season.

[tukafan21]

25 minutes ago, ColumbusCounty said:

This...If Ekwonu could develop his pass pro to match his run blocking he'd be a ridiculously talented LT. Even still, he had more penalties than allowed sacks last season. 

If he can manage to stay relatively healthy, he'll be resigned as the guy is legitimately one of the best run blockers in the league. I'm sure Dan remembers how bad that left side was before he got here. 

Mind you, I'm not sure Moton is apart of our future plans. Zero chance we'd lose both. Icky signed his rookie deal for 27 mil fully guaranteed w/ a 17 mil signing bonus included. He's projected to get somewhere north of 20 mil per year after the season. 

To be fair, with Bryce as his QB, it's probably better for him to get holding penalties if his man is going to beat him than let Bryce take clean shots from his blindside, that's a good way to get your 5'10" 200 lbs QB broken in half if you don't take those penalties.