The Carolina Panthers used the franchise tag yesterday for the first time in several years, applying it to Taylor Moton.
Moton has had a sensational run as their starting right tackle for the last three seasons and was the most critical pending free agent for them to retain this year. If Moton does not agree to a long-term contract extension before July 15, he will play for the Panthers next season under the franchise tag. For offensive linemen in 2021, that will cost roughly $13.75 million. Where does that leave Carolina as far as available cap space?
The NFL has set the salary cap at $182.5 million, down some 7.9% from last year due to the pandemic. So, after tagging Moton, the Panthers should have around $18.44 million left over, according to Over the Cap.
That’s not a lot of money to play with and most of it will likely be used to retain other pending free agents. Wide receiver Curtis Samuel and left tackle Russell Okung should be at the top of that list.
