The Seattle Seahawks recently lavished inside linebacker Bobby Wagner with a four-year deal worth $43 million. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers similarly locked up LB Lavonte David with a five-year deal worth $50.25 million. Now, it appears as if Carolina Panthers star Luke Kuechly could have a new deal soon that tops both mammoth contracts.
Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer reports that talks are "heating up" between the two sides and that the "50-50" odds of extending Kuechly before the regular season have improved in recent days.
"Kuechly has said he's not concerned about a new deal and that it will happen when it happens," Jones wrote.
One reason Kuechly may not be overly concerned is that he is already under contract for the 2016 season via the fifth-year option worth $11.058 million. That would make him the highest paid inside linebacker this season, ahead of Wagner's $10.75 salary.
Still, Kuechly would likely rather get the deal done soon.
"Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has said he does not negotiate contracts during the regular season, hence the preseason deadline," Jones concluded.
Kuechly is in line to become the highest-paid linebacker in the NFL. At just 24-years-old he is already a two-time All Pro (and two-time Pro Bowler) and won Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2013. Aside from quarterback Cam Newton, Kuechly is Carolina's other franchise player and will be taken care of accordingly.
