Taylor Moton isn’t going anywhere. According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPN, the Carolina Panthers will use their 2021 franchise tag on their stud right tackle.
Making sure that Moton did not sign with another team is one of the most critical moves that general manager Scott Fitterer will make in his first offseason with the franchise. Moton has played his position at a very high level the last three years and few tackles in the league can match his consistency in pass protection.
According to Pro Football Focus, Moton has only allowed 10 career sacks in over 2,000 pass sets.
Taylor Moton has logged 2,071 pass-blocking snaps in his career, allowing only 10 sacks #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/NtpWJgcuPm
— PFF CAR Panthers (@PFF_Panthers) March 9, 2021
That’s a rare talent in pass protection. Allowing Moton to walk would have qualified as a disaster for a team that’s also got three other pending free agent starters along the offensive line.
Signing Moton to a long-term deal is still in the team’s best interest. Doing so would allow them to spread out his cap hits and free up more room for 2021. They have until July 15 to work out a deal. If not, Moton will cost the team around $13.6 million this year under the tag.
Next, Fitterer has to find a way to keep another critical pending free agent. If the Panthers can manage to re-sign WR/RB Curtis Samuel before the new league year, then we’ll be truly impressed.
