USAT: Panthers Wire audio clip

USAT: Panthers Wire

Feb 25, 2022

If we’re being frank, Carolina Panthers tight end Ian Thomas hasn’t shown up much in the box scores over his entire pro career. But that didn’t stop the 25-year-old from getting paid. - On Friday morning, the team announced a fresh three-year deal for Thomas. And according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, the numbers are way prettier than anything you’ll find in those box scores. - Thomas’ new pact, which takes him through the 2024 campaign, is worth $16.5 million. He’ll be paid $6.25 million in 2022 and gets a full guarantee of $8 million. - His average annual salary of $5.5 million makes him the 16th-highest paid tight end in the NFL. That’s one heck of a spot to have considering he’s primarily a blocker who’s totaled just 802 receiving yards and four touchdowns over four seasons. - This move, given their fairly limited cap space and pressing needs elsewhere, will likely take the Panthers out of the running for what’ll be a solid market at the tight end position. - - RelatedReport: Texans QB Deshaun Watson 'open-minded' toward PanthersDavid Tepper's silence may have hurt Panthers' search for QB, coaches - - List - - 4 left tackles the Panthers should target in free agency - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Email - - - - - Sign up - - - - - - - - Like this article? - Sign up for the Panthers Wire email newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning - - - - An error has occured - - - Please re-enter your email address. - - - - - - Thanks for signing up! - - - You'll now receive the top Panthers Wire stories each day directly in your inbox.

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